The Roux in the Gumbo

LUCINDA THIERRY IS HOSTING POETS INCLUDING ME

2009-01-10T20:38:00.000-08:00

THE ROUX IN THE GUMBO REVISED PHOTO EDITION IS AVAILABLE AT LULU.COM

www.aambookclub.net Tamika Newhouse

2008-09-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

AAMBC was founded in Feb 2008 by Tamika Newhouse for the main purpose of showcasing the best new black authors. We currently have about 95 devoted members, but several hundred affiliated members. The book club was named African Americans on the Move Book Club because Tamika wanted to start a whole new empowering movement through black literature. That’s why AAMBC’S motto is “Novels that reflect you and me”. Believe it or not our black authors are our voice, so write great stories. We want to get each reader in touch with the Author so here at AAMBC you meet every author chosen for the book of the month.

We will always be open for membership, and we have street team members in six cities

organizing their affiliated AAMBC book clubs. You can be a newly added street team member as well. Contact us at aambookclub@yahoo.com for the membership application and to start a new reading experience. We are co-ed and looking for great men of color.

The main AAMBC chapter is located in San Antonio and other AAMBC chapters are

being created.

AAMBC Radio is a power house radio show that is taking over the internet radio scene.

We have exclusive author interviews with today’s most prominent new authors. We also

show case an African American hero who has made a great impact on our nation. Our most successful show thus far is the Open Mic Shows allowing authors and poets to showcase their talents. Want you join us for a new literary Movement happening on a world wide level. AAMBC Radio is located at www.blogtalkradio.com/aambc.

Visit us today on our site www.aambookclub.net to know how to become a member. We

are also on myspace at www.myspace.com/aambc2008. Join a new Literary Movement

focused on promoting black authors and our communities.

www.aambookclub.net
Coming Soon

WWW.AAMBOOKCLUB.COM

Kiexiza Rodriquez
AAMBC Promotions Coordinator
President AAMBC Springfield, Massachusetts Chapter
Taking on the role as Promotions Coordinator for AAMBookClub.net, I am responsible for the promotions of the site, spreading the word and bringing new readers and authors to the site, as well as being of any assistance to its members in the department of promotions of their works, ideas, outlets and information. Having over ten years experience in the entertainment industry doing street team work, marketing & promotions for artist al across the country this is a great fit for me.
Kiexiza Rodriquez
CEO Black Tiger Music & Promotions
Promotions Coordinator AAMBOOKCLUB.NET
www.myspace.com/aambcsm
www.myspace.com/mistiger
mistiger02@yahoo.com

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Lacha' Mitchell
AAMBC Street Team DIRECTOR
President of AAMBC, Durham Chapter
I am also an associate minister, and aspiring author. I will be directing the street team by staying in contact with the other S.T. members and checking in to see how their efforts are edifying AAMBC. I will be brainstorming for new projects with the S.T. in order to give us more publicity, and catapult us as readers, writers, aspiring authors, and authors into the next level of our destiny. I will be on the lookout for new S.T. members for recruitment locally and nationally, and will promote and publicize the books of the month and our authors of the month. I will be the catalyst in making connections with authors so that they can be featured on AAMBC's radio show. A monthly segment called the street team update segment is where I will be featured to talk and will be able to give updates monthly on how the team is doing individually and collectively.
www.myspace.com/aambcstreetteam
www.myspace.com/spiritualconnectionsbc

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My name is Keyonda Campbell and I am the National Spokesman for AAMBC! My past experience in writing professionally will allow me to express and communicate with this group as well as outsiders on the goals and great intentions of this organization.
Some of my duties will consist of monthly press statements for the book of the month, participating on the live radio broadcast, and helping with promotions with the well equip street team. I will also have a Myspace page that will be strictly for AAMBC business. I will announce my Myspace URL tomorrow.
AAMBC has many great things planned for this year and the coming year as well and I will make it my priority to inform and promote these events the best way I know how. I will also update you on other events that we can attend together as a group or separate as we spread the word on our wonderful group and network with readers, authors and future supporters alike.

AAMBC Street Team

The AAMBC Street Team is a dynamic group of men and women who have gathered together to help promote the newly and seasoned black authors. The whole purpose of this group is to expand the fact that African Americans’ do read. Just last year blacks spent 36 million on books, and we are here to continue that trend. Each member who lives within their own city volunteers to get involved within the AAMBC activities and events. Each member is honored and respected and as we grow we will not leave not one member behind. We have fun, read great black novels, attend book fairs, and promote our movement. Visit the main African Americans on the Move Book Club site at www.aambookclub.com for more information on the Book Club itself.

We currently have four AAMBC Chapters in the cities of Fayetteville, NC, Durham NC, Central New Jersey, and Springfield Massachusetts. These chapters host their own local meetings and accept author tour stops. Authors wanting to visit these groups cal email us at aspiringauthor37@yahoo.com and speak with Street Team Director Lacha Mitchell.

AAMBC Radio

Schedule a Radio Interview

All shows are open to all authors and publishers. Because we are a non-profit organization we ask that you donate any amount to our organization to be interviewed on our show. We will schedule a time for you when ever you would like and the interview will consist of asking you about your book and future projects. We are open to any day you would like simply email us to get a date. Our show is in syndication on a 24/7 radio show that reaches 16000 listeners, so spots are filling up. We want to interview you after reading the titles so please send a copy to us and put interview for the submission as follows;

African Americans on the Move Book Club, Interview

2210 Blake rd

San Antonio, TX 78236

We will need a book, contact info, and synopsis. We will also publish a review for you on amazon.com

Only for interviews will we return your review copies to you, and in this case enclose a prepaid and already addressed envelope and we will return your book to you when our review is finished. To make the donated amount you would like visit our web at www.aambookclub.com and on the main page click the donate link and pay through pay pal. Thank you for your support and all that we do here at AAMBC.

Visit http://aambookclub.wordpress.com/ and post your radio comments

Here are the interviews we offer: A Blind Interview:

This is when AAMBC has not read your book, and will interview you anyways. This is the least liked interview because it will be impersonal. We will not know your book. But we will still offer a interview, ask alot of questions, and request history of your life and other projects. So the interview will be just as good. How ever you do not get a book review published online.

A Get to know Me interview:

We have read your book and we will offer a review. This interview will be like a author exposure interview only thing is you will not be the book of the month. I can only promote you to a limit. But with Book of the Month you will get a bigger audience. You will also get a published book review online, since you did a submission

BOTM at AAMBC

Our main focus is promoting authors that reflect the black community. I would love to have your novel for the book of the month. Please be advised that I do have plenty of authors who request a spot for our month’s selection. You can post your book in our blog here on myspace. Click View all Blogs and it will be the very last one. Wanting to get a Book of the Month Spot Now, do a submission to our office and contact us today. It is on first come bases. Here is a highlight of what benefits you will receive. There is a required $50 donation to be a BOTM. Below is a list of the benefits.

Email Campaign
Online Promotion on Several Sites
Profile on our Website and Myspace Page
You get an exclusive promoted radio Interview on our syndicated show AAMBC Radio that reaches thousands of listeners
There will be group discussions based on your book on our yahoo reading group
There will be several small commercials telling readers about your book on our radio show throughout the 30 days of promotion

YES all of this is done for a donation for $50 to the organization
I WOULDN'T’T WAIT, THERE ARE ONLY TWO SPOTS A MONTH.

Here's how to get the next available spot, email AAMBC, complete application, and make your donation. That is all. Look to hear from you all soon.

We have our national street team based in many states within the u.s. that promote your book in their local area. We currently have 18 devoted street team members and 120 members who buy our book of the months. Not to mention the over 2000 affiliated members you on occasion buy our book of the months. Secondly we have four AAMBC Chapters in four cities that have in person meetings and accept author tour stops. We are currently developing two more chapters. AAMBC and all of these individuals promote you and all it takes is a small donation from you. This is a major mile stone for your writing career. Look to hear from you soon

Tune in and listen to my interview on Just about books

2008-05-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

justaboutbookstalkshow.com

Marguerite Press Author eTours is on the move

2008-02-01T08:45:00.000-08:00

Marguerite Press™

Marguerite Press Author eTours
Marchel Alverson, author of Savor the Sweetness eTours

Savor the Sweetness by Marchel Alverson

Visit Marchel on the Web at: Marchel

There is an old adage; “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” But what happens when your closest friend becomes your greatest enemy? Celeste Gray and Terri Hunter are best friends who seemingly have everything, including a “sacred” orange grove that connects them.

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Marguerite Press bringing to the forefront those issues of concern in the literary world since 1996!

Marguerite Press presents the opportunity for all authors to go on tour with "Marguerite Press Author eTours." This concept allows authors to visit different sites which provides an eTour/Virtual Book Tour.

Author Delores "Queen of Promotion" Thornton, Founder/CEO of Marguerite Press traveled to places like Atlanta, Baltimore, New York, Peoria, Cherry Hill, Hartford, San Francisco, Dublin, Ohio; Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Birmingham, Pensacola, Fort Wayne, Bloomington, Wilmington, Fort Pierce, Orlando, Muncie, Richmond, IN, South Bend, Chicago, Mobile, Milwaukee, Richmond, VA, Philadelphia, Tampa, Hopkinsville, Detroit, Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Bellevue, Freeport, Bahamas; Fort Worth, Sacramento, Cincinnati, Queens, Oakland, Springfield, Durham, Columbus, St. Louis, Beaumont, and Cancun, Mexico, promoting literary works. During the tours Thornton encountered fabulous book clubs; participated in fantastic book events, and met wonderful people, some of whom ultimately became fans and friends!

Now every author can go on tour with "Marguerite Press Author eTours" which features a photo, book cover, link to author's site and 35 words of text on high profile Internet sites!!

This venture will provide mega exposure via press releases, email notices and ads in local and national media! Marguerite Press Author eTours will be thirty days per tour. Authors can use their eTour information in Press Kits and mention it in radio, television, and print interviews. For more details please send email to info@margueritepress.com.

The high profile sites are listed below:

eTour Stop #1:
Marguerite Press website where avid readers, writers, event planners, and literary organizations will find the Speakers Bureau, and the ever-popular, Around2It Talk Show with host, Delores "Queen of Promotion" Thornton.

eTours

eTour Stop #2:
Let's Talk Honestly, a site of African American opinion, poetry, news, and literature all hosted by George Cook host of his weekly online talk show LTH WEEKLY. Join us to check out great poetry and author interviews.

George L. Cook III author of Let's Talk Honestly Vol. 2 A book of poetry and essays on African American Issues Read ebook for free here:

Lets Talk Honestly

eTour Stop #3:
Sexy Ebony BBW African American Book Club is dedicated to reading and discussing literature by black authors. Our goal is to create a forum where readers can explore African American authors and the books they are creating for our reading pleasure. We also want to create a community of readers ready and willing to share their love for reading and just a bit of themselves with like-minded individuals.

Anyone interested in joining can visit our website.

Sexy Ebony BBW Book Club

eTour Stop #4:
SORMAG is the blog to click on to meet the hottest multi-cultural authors hitting the book shelves. We have reviews of their latest book releases and we keep you current on what’s happening in the literary world. The best part, it’s interactive. You can leave a comment for a chance to win a SORMAG goody bag. Click on our link and tell us what you think.

SORMAG

eTour Stop #5:
LeRue Press, LLC is committed to helping writers publish and promote their work. Writers benefit from both Internet and traditional publishing and promotion including Marguerite Press Author eTours. With a variety of poetry, children's books like "Pick Me, Pick Me!" by Elizabeth Horton, and opportunities to write and be published in the "History of", we invite you to join LeRue Press, and find your voice and your chance to be published.

We here at LeRue Press are thrilled to be a part of eTours with Marguerite Press! And, we would like to offer the eTours authors' books for sale on our site. Our listing service is free. If the author's book sells, we handle the entire process. All they need to do is read and sign our agreement at:
www.leruepress.com/bookagreement.html and forward a copy of the book.

The agreement lists the terms of sale. We only ask 9% of the sale price (less the Pay Pal fees). Our agreement clearly outlines what we expect. We hope this is a win-win for the author and for us. We hope by including the book along with the eTour, the authors will sell more books!

LeRue Press

eTour stop #6:
C&B Books caters to aspiring and self-published authors who tend to have limited capital and resources. We researched and discovered others who shared our mission. More than just promoting and supporting, C&B is a resourceful research center as well. We refer authors to our network of contacts, such as book clubs, publishers, editors, reviewers, radio stations, public access television, book fairs and expos. Our primary goal includes, organizing book signings, delivering press kits, promotional materials to bookstores, and agents.

C&B Books

eTour stop #7:
Nevaeh Publishing Dwan Abrams is a full-time novelist/publisher/speaker. She's the author of Only True Love Waits, The Scream Within and Favor (short story appearing in The Midnight Clear: Stories of Love, Hope and Inspiration anthology). Dwan is the founder, publisher and executive director of the newly formed Nevaeh Publishing, LLC. Nevaeh Publishing is a small press independent publishing house. Nevaeh Publishing was established to assist aspiring African-American Christian/Inspirational writers with getting published. Our goal is to become the premier literary Web site for Christian readers and writers.

Nevaeh Publishing

eTour stop #8:
Book Nibbler Reader's Community
So how do you read a good book? One “nibble” at a time! Book Nibbler is a targeted reader’s community currently covering ten genres. You choose what type(s) of book you would like to read and Monday through Friday, we’ll send you a preview—no longer than five minutes out of your day—to “nibble” on. It IS that easy.

Founder/ Cassandra Vaughn

Book Nibbler

eTour stop # 9
Delores Thornton The home of Delores "Queen of Promotion" Thornton

Delores Thornton

eTour stop # 10
Margie Gosa-Shivers, author of, "Once Is Never Enough"
If you had a whimper of a chance to win back the love of your life, would you grab it? Against all expectations, a Chicago homicide detective who's ready to move for a career with the FBI finds himself wrestling with the notion when he agrees to face danger once more to prove a suicide was really a homicide.

Margie Gosa Shivers

eTour stop # 11
At APOOO our mission is to expose readers of all ages to a good book in any genre; to support African American authors, books, literary events and bookclubs; and, to promote literacy within the African American community.

APOOO

eTour stop #12
Mocha Readers

Mocha Readers

eTour stop #13
Roux in the Gumbo Blogspot

Roux in the Gumbo

Author eTours, yet another great idea from Marguerite Press! Please visit the eTour sites listed above.

October eTour author was
Kevin Wayne Johnson!

November eTour authors were:
Joan Robertson
Barbara Custer
Yvonne Bridges

December eTour authors were:
Kim Robinson
Margie Gosa Shivers
Kathy J. Marsh

January 2007 eTour author was:
Electa Rome Parks

February 2007 eTour authors:
Dwan Abrams
Cherlyn Michaels
Sammie Ward

March 2007 eTour author:
Carlene D. Heeter

April 2007 eTour author:
NeCee

May 2007 eTour author:
Kathy J. Marsh

June 2007 eTour authors:
Jazz Catrell
P.R. Hawkins
Joylynn Jossel

July 2007 eTour authors:
Dr. Debbie Lassiter
Pat G'Orge-Walker

August 2007 eTour author:
Delores Thornton

September 2007 eTour authors:
E.N. Joy
Deborah Slappey Pitts
T.H. Moore

October 2007 eTour author:
Darrell King

November 2007 eTour author:
Darn Oldham

December 2007 eTour author:
LaConnie Taylor-Jones

For more details on how YOU can be on eTour please send email to info@margueritepress.com. Marguerite Press Author eTours since 2006!

Blessings!

Delores Thornton, Voted "Queen of Promotion" by C&B Books of New York
Literary Expert at www.blackrefer.com
Voted "Best Online Presence - 2006" by Nubian Literary Network

www.deloresthornton.com
www.margueritepresspr.com
www.indianapolisbookfest.com
www.margueritepress.com
www.myspace.com/deloresthornton

2008-01-16T03:52:00.001-08:00

Welcome Anita Hackley-Lambert

2008-01-05T16:27:00.000-08:00

Anita Hackley-Lambert is the former President/CEO of a fifteen years old information technology and engineering services firm and currently founder of Hackley-Lambert Enterprises, Inc., an emerging portfolio of business opportunities, including HLE Publishing from which she has launched her new writing career.

Anita Hackley-Lambert has envisioned a career in writing ever since the age of twelve, when she wrote her first unpublished book, No Where to Run, a compelling story of sexual assaults she suffered beginning at age five. She was inspired to write the life story of F.H.M. Murray, because of a promise she made to her mother to acknowledge and honor Murrays legacy. With publication of this book, the author hopes to spark the interest of historians, educators, scholars, educational institutions, black history collectors, genealogists, students, and family members of this outstanding historical figure. Her greatest desire is that each reader will come to know the essence of the man, F.H.M. Murray.

Anita currently has 3 new books slated for publication in 2008, plus 12 works-in-progress. Her future writing projects include such genre as autobiographical, biographical, inspirational, true ghost stories, suspense, and fiction. Official author site: www.AnitaHackleyLambert.com

How did you get into writing?

Actually, I wrote my first unpublished book when I was twelve. After seven years of sexual abuse, it was my way to stay connected to the real world. Those were painful years. It is a miracle I survived“ but that is a story for another book

After getting through a painful youth, I started my own information technology and engineering service company where I began writing technical documents and how-to manuals for the federal government.

When did you first know that you were a writer?

I just knew. After a near death experience in 1989, I started having dreams and vision and was prompted to write them down. After a few years, I realized I had material for several books. Then I began keeping detailed notes and writing. In retrospect, that was perhaps my first major step toward writing about things meaningful to me.

What prompted you to write â€œF.H.M. Murray: First Biography of a Forgotten Pioneer for Civil Justice?

I was inspired by a promise I made to my mother, who kept the memory of my great grandfather alive. Mother who was blinded by glaucoma, had a secret box packed with Grandpa Murray's papers. She gave me the seeds for my research and had me promise to write her grandfather's story.

F.H.M. Murray (public audience title) did so much for so many. He died in 1951 and was completely forgotten. In all he did he only wanted to be remembered in some small way.

I prepared my first draft and was later diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer. I continued my research and put the writing on hold. I refused radiation and chemo and turned to the Lord. Today, I am cancer free. I credit my strong faith in God who healed me so I could busy myself with research, validate family stories, and write the book.

How long did the book take to write?

Seems like a long time, due to the 10 years of research. However, once I settled down and began to write, it took only three months. I credit this quick push to finish to a 2005 Niagara Movement event I attended in West Virginia. I was encouraged to complete my book in time for the Centennial Commemoration of the Niagara Movement in 2006. I leaped at the opportunity. I knew this could bring maximum exposure to my great grandfather -- a founding member of the movement -- and exposure to my book.

Like my great grandfather, I wanted to self publish my book. I used a professional book editor and award-winning author for that. He was super and worked one-on-one with me and returned my manuscript in record-breaking time. Next, I had the manuscript reviewed by a professional proofreader.

What was unique about working on your book?

How I was able to show the true connection and relationship between Grandpa Murray and W.E.B. Du Bois. I was able to prove his loyalty and friendship to Du Bosi, and show how he got the shaft by Du Bois who used their friendship in self serving way to promote Du Bois own ambitions.

I learned that my great grandfather was uniquely amazing“ full of energy, a visionary, and a pioneer civil rights activist. It was difficult to understand how he had been overlooked. Further investigation revealed a possible clue F.H. M Murray was brutally honest, a no nonsense type of guy. He sought out the truth and used his newspaper business to speak out against the injustice of blacks by both white and black Americans. In the end, his stiffed neck approach seemed to have separated him from those who had once admired him.

What did you learn most?

I learned to connect to myself. It was a unique and beneficial experience for me. From the research through my grandpa's diaries I connected to myself“ actually learned that I was more like him“ explaining why I differed from my siblings.

By working closely with my editor and publishers, I learned a lot about writing and publishing. The insight taught me to appreciate the efforts of writers and of publishers, and taught me how to reduce mistakes in my next book. Another important lesson was to work my manuscripts to completion so that they can go through at least 3 edits and 3 proof readings.

Whats next?

Watch for my upcoming announcement of my new book entitled, Barry A. Murray: Biography in a New Dimension. This is an exciting story about one of this nations most radical newspaper publishers serving the District of Columbia. The twist is that Barry walked in the footsteps of F.H.M. Murray, the great grandfather he never knew. Barry was my cousin. I believe you will love it! I actually have 2 other books I hope to publish this year. After that, I can get down to writing and publishing my other twelve works-in-progress that include such genres as autobiographical, biographical, inspirational, true supernatural encounters, suspense, and fiction.

PUMP UP YOUR BOOK PROMOTION VIRTUAL BOOK TOURS

"Leave your tour in our hands!"

www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com

What I plan to accomplish in 2008

2007-12-29T18:16:00.000-08:00

My focus for this year is to start my own publishing company and get some good media people to help me get my books out there in front of the public.
Streetlife to Housewife; my life story, does not hold anything back. I don't pull any punches in describing the things that I have survived in my life and how I am using my experiences to help others today.
Had someone told me two decades ago that I would be a writer, and speaking in churches I would have told them they were crazy. Actually a few people did tell me that God was going to use me to help others and I cursed them out.
I did not believe in or want anything to do with God thanks to a preacher that raped me at the age of five. I was in my mid thirties and in rehab for a cocaine addiction when I found out that the preacher had nothing to do with God.
Today I can't say his name enough and everything that I write is going to help people know that they can survive just like I did.
Find your purpose for being here and accomplish it. With God's help nothing can stop you.

Welcome Sydney Molare

2007-10-18T09:46:00.001-07:00

TEN THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT AUTHOR, SYDNEY MOLARE'

1. I've been self-published, traditionally published and e-published. While many wish for the traditionally published route, I've found that there is very little difference between trad and self-published. The biggest difference is that with trad you work on their schedule and they have better distribution. But the promotional efforts are the same.

2. In my spare time, I am the pianist/organist for my church. I trained classically for 9 years in my youth, competing at the state level, but now I only play for church.

3. My favorite genre is mystery and suspense. I cut my teeth on those Reader's Digest Condensed books. It was where I first heard of John LeCarre and Robert Ludlum, some of my suspense favorites. I do think James Patterson, Elmore Leonard and JD Robb do good jobs also.

4. When I write, I like to let the reader "create their own world." Meaning, I give some detail, but I don't give minute details. I find that boring, really a filler.

5. When I think of my writing style, I like to think of it as slash writing. I get right to the meat of the matter without traveling around the moon to make the point. Some criticize but most love it. Just in what you like, I guess.

6. I've made more money writing erotica than in any other genre. Amazing.

7. I'm hooked on the Oprah and Friends XM radio network. LOL. Gayle King has found her niche.

8. I was always an overachiever. I finished HS at 15, college at 19 and received my doctorate at 23.

9. My favorite colors are black and red. I don't like pastels at all, especially pink. Though I do use a pink in my book covers. It seems to appeal to women more.

10. I managed to participate in Mardi Gras in New Orleans for the first time this year. I ate, drank and was one of the few who didn't show their tits!

Visit me at www.sydneymolare.com

The Triumph of My Soul

2007-09-24T10:15:00.001-07:00

Elissa Gabrielle Editor

Jessica Tilles

Jarold Imes

Lorraine Elzia

Keshia Dawn

Fon James

Jaqueline Moore

Allyson Deese

Stories of Hope, Triumph and Inspiration.

From Author, Poet & Visionary, Elissa Gabrielle, comes a soul-stirring anthology that will touch your heart, feed your spirit, and strengthen your soul.

Every so often, an anthology is written that is meant to inspire and uplift; to fortify and nourish, to comfort and reassure, but most of all, to bring you closer to a place of peace and resolve.

This Christmas, The Triumph of My Soul releases. This anthology has stories for everyone who has ever experienced the ups and downs of life. Whether you're a parent who has lost a child, a man or woman who have been the victim of abuse, someone who has lost their identity in their love for another human being, survived a life-threatening illness, have been knocked down only to get back up time and time again…whatever your trial or tribulation, at the end there is Triumph.

Inspirational, prolific, heartfelt encouraging stories featuring Essence Best-selling author, Bill Holmes, Motivational Speaker & Talk Show Host, Cheryl Donovan, Best-selling author, Elissa Gabrielle, Karibu Best-Selling author Jessica Tilles, and College Professor and Ph.D. candidate, Dike Okoro, the highly-talented, Lorraine Elzia, the eye-opening Agnes B. Levine, the uplifting Fon James, the strong Jarold Imes, the provocative Kim Robinson, the magnificent Keshia Dawn, the sensitive Allyson Deese, the determined Linda R. Herman, the progressive Ebonee Monique, the comforting Jacqueline Moore, the survivor Linda Wattley, and the butterfly Casche Russell.

"The Triumph Of My Soul" by Elissa Gabrielle
"The Triumph of My Soul" is a story I hold near and dear to my heart. This story is meant to uplift and inspire. Too often, we are condemned, ridiculed and knocked down, time and time again. Many people will smile in our face, but we can't turn our backs to them. The beauty of life is that, no matter how many times we are knocked down, God will lift us up, if you believe Him and trust in His word. It's not about how you fall; its about the grace and dignity in how you rise."

“Julian's Grace" by Jessica Tilles
"Although my short story, "Julian's Grace" is fiction, it speaks straight to the heart. We must treasure each day we are blessed to be alive and well. Giving thanks to God for every breath we take."

"Word On The Street" by Jarold Imes
"As Contemporary Gospel & Christian Rap and Hip Hop grows, I felt the need to provide a story that would appeal to this audience. Having been a street/urban/hip-hop author and having written erotica, I know first hand what it's like for Christians who come from the streets that are my age trying to turn their lives around and give them up for Christ. Hopefully, readers saved and unsaved a like will understand that you don't have to come from a traditional church family to serve the Lord."

"A Test Of Faith" by Lorraine Elzia
“Our lives are inspiration, motivation and lessons for us to learn by. No person is given an experience just for the purpose of it happening, there is always a moral to be shared. It is our duty to share our endurances with others so that they may indulge in the delicacy of food for thought. I submitted to the Triumph for the Soul” anthology in an effort that someone might read my story and have an “Ah Ha! Moment”. It was my desire to try and reach at least one person with my words so that they too could test their faith.”

"A Stroke Of Purpose" by Keshia Dawn
"I believe in love and not necessarily just from man to woman, woman to man, but love for each other. There is so much hurt and pain in this world and I can figure that most of it comes from within the family. I honestly wanted to show that even though there is hurting yet and still in the family, there can also be healing. It just takes courage to be real. My motto, right is right and wrong is wrong. Loving unconditionally is right."

"A Mother, Her Son, And The Father" by Fon James
I was inspired to write the short story, A Mother, Her Son and The Father, after a close friend of mine experienced the loss of her only son. Even though her son was murdered, she stood strong and declared the name of Jesus, and even showed strength at his funeral by standing up to personally speak a Godly word to his friends who were angry and wanted to retaliate against the suspected murderer. One young man even turned his life over to Christ at the funeral. I saw God comfort her during that terrible time of uncertainty and bereavement. I saw God give her a peace that surpassed all understanding of why it happened. I see the victorious triumph she continues to experience everyday through her faith in God. It further confirms that when we have God on our sides, we are truly triumphant.

"Death At A Church" by Jacqueline Moore
"As a Christian Author, I am always looking new avenues to explore. When I saw the call for submission, I was intrigued so much that I actually issued a challenge in one of my online writing groups. One other member answered my challenge, Lorraine Eliza. I was thrilled when I learned that her story was accepted. I wouldn't learn until weeks later that my story had also been accepted. My story originated from a writing prompt."

"Discovering The Joy Within" by Allyson Deese
"My inspiration behind "Discovering the Joy Within," is that I wanted to help another woman to not go through the pain and the hurt that I went through at such a young age. I wanted to impower someone else to be strong and overcome their hurt and pain. I also felt that the story of my innocent babies needed to be told."

"Doors" by Ebonee Monique
"I wrote "Doors" in about ten minutes and it is, still, one of my favorite stories. I closed my eyes and visualized this woman and her struggle for love. I know this fictional character in every day life. She's my neighbor, she's the cashier where I shop, she's my professor, she's the single mother, she's the married woman...she's me. So many times, we get so caught up in trying to please the "man" in our lives that we neglect The Man in our hearts. Doors represents the change and the light at the end of the tunnel, that so many women desire to see."

"I'm Still Here" by Kim Robinson
"I submitted my story to The Triumph of My Soul because I know that my testimony can help others."

"He Loves Us, Always" by Linda Wattley
"I was inspired to share my story because of the foundation "The Triumph of My Soul" represented. It gave me an opportunity to testify about the power of God. Today I face a struggle challenging my faith in God but He reminded me, I have faced greater challenges in my life than this and He did not forsake me and will not forsake me now. When you get the victory in life, you qualilfy to impart it to others that they too can rise above adversity. It is an honor to SHARE the spirit of VICTORY!"

"Marathon" by Bill Holmes
"I was inspired by the combination of the Biblical verse 1 Corinthians 9:24; my desire to run long distance; and Don Henley’s New York Minute, a song about appreciating the blessings in our life. I listened repeatedly to the song while writing the short story to create an emotional, mental and physical connection with my characters Alex and Cynthia so I could feel and capture their frustrations into my words. Without giving too much away, it was a challenge to write Marathon because it addresses the aftermath and possible effect the Iraq war has had on the U.S. soldiers and their families. I’m proud of my contribution to The Triumph of My Soul, but I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit there’s more I want to tell about my characters and their story."

"One Woman's Journey" by Linda R. Herman
"Answering the submissions call for TRIUMPH gave me the opportunity to work with an amazing author and poet, Elissa Gabrielle. I felt that writing an inspirational piece was a challenge that I was ready to confront head on. Though my story, "One Woman's Journey" is fictional, I know that there are many 'Ambers' (my main character) in the world losing their identities in the shadows of a man. Through the words of my story I wanted to remind readers of Exodus 20:3 and just how important it is to ALWAYS put God first. To quote a beautiful song, 'Can't nobody do me like Jesus.' "

"The Ministry Of Motherhood" by Cheryl Donovan
"The Triumph of My Soul" was an opportunity for me to share with other women, the struggles that I had endured as a teen mom. I wanted them to see that their current circumstance doesn't necessarily dictate their future circumstances. My message is that faith, determination, and perserverance can bring you through the storms of life and allow you to experience a triumph of the soul."

"The Vanilla Room" by Agnes B. Levine
"Inside that vanilla room in the psychiatric ward, the supernatural experience and deliverance from God inspired me to write it as my truest testimony to give God the glory and inspire others to overcome their trials knowing God is real. The submission call for The Triumph of My Soul was my epiphany that my story was timeless and transcending."

"When You Least Expect" by Dike Okoro
"There is no doubt in my mind that my Christian background was chiefly responsible for my decision to write When You Least Expect. I was deeply moved and touched by the title of the proposed anthology and the idea behind the call for submission. On the creative front, I think historical memory and my personal and local concerns for national, universal, and human issues inspired the penning of the story."

"Breaking The Chains Of Abuse" by Casche Russell
"I wanted everyone to know that with the help of God, you can break the chains of abuse. God never gives us more than we can bear."

Ebonee Monique

Kim Robinson

Linda Wattley

Bill Holmes

Linda R. Herman

Cheryl Donovan

Agnes B. Levine

Dike Okoro

Casche Russell

Please welcome Shawna Moore

2007-09-03T21:51:00.001-07:00

Writing Through Life

Many thanks to my author friend, Kim, for this guest blog invitation. One of the topics I’ve mulled recently is how to balance the pursuit of creativity with the difficult issues and dilemmas life tosses at me. When I embarked on a full-time career in writing, I had some idea of what lay ahead. Lots of hard work. A dedication to improving my craft. Constant attention to the market and what was selling and what was not. Budgeting time for the business side of writing once publication happened. Staying in touch with readers and keeping them current on my fiction releases and works in progress. Etc.

But no matter how many times I assessed the time I’d allocated to my writing against the time I dealt with other life issues, I found each day forced me to reassess how I approached my juggling of these balls and balancing of the demands. Needless to say, on certain days one or more of the balls dropped, but I had to make sure I gathered up any fallen and paid closer attention to keeping the same in the air the next day and the days following.

Aside from focusing on my writing, researching, promotion, editing and cyber communication for 8-10 hours at least five days a week, I had other responsibilities and events that threatened to cripple my creativity—some threatening to cripple it permanently. But as with anything in life we love and love doing, I decided to step back from the creative process over my vacation and give myself a break from the balancing act.

Funny thing happened. Although some would have surrendered, I’ve stuck it out. After only two days on vacation, I started missing my writing time at the computer. On several pages of a magazine I’d brought along for reading during our flights, I jotted notes for a new story. A couple days later, I attended a writer’s conference and quickly became caught up in the swell of activity and camaraderie of fellow authors. As I returned to the hotel room after dining with some friends the first night of the conference, I sat down and chatted with my husband about how it was impossible for me to stay away from writing for very long. Writing is a passion. It’s something I can’t purge from my life no matter how many demands, frustrations, setbacks and emergencies are otherwise flung my way.

Life is great, but life is also tough. It puts many obstacles in our paths, but we mustn’t allow them to deter us from fulfilling our goals and doing our best to make our dreams become reality. Realize there will be times you will have to forego certain pursuits temporarily in favor of others. But never, ever let your dreams slip away. Go after what you love. Pursue it with passion. Dare to make your dreams become reality.

Shawna Moore

ROUGHRIDER – Ellora’s Cave

HELLE IN HEELS – Ellora’s Cave

http://www.grant-moore.com

Texas Author Explosion

2007-08-29T19:10:00.001-07:00

Texas Author Explosion

September 15 2007

5p.m. to 9 p.m.

Dallas Convention Center

Above TBAAL’s Naomi Bruton Theatre

On the corner of Lamar

Come join us Saturday September 15th at 5.00 p.m. for the Texas Author Explosion at the Dallas convention center Downtown Dallas, Texas. If you would like to be a participating author the price is only 30 dollars.

You can send a pay pal payment to

kim@kim-robinson.com or send check or money order to

Texas Author Explosion

1110 Timbercreek Drive

Allen Texas 75002

Secure your table and time on the mike. All participating author's books will be sold by Ms. Emma Rodgers from Black Images Book Store @ 40%. You can contact Ms. Rodgers at ESrodgers@aol.com.

This event is to help a woman who helped so many over the 33 years that she ran a book store in Dallas. She was forced to close her doors. Now she needs our help.

All authors will be allowed to speak about their works and will have their own table where they can sign autographs and converse with their fans. We do ask that you bring your own props to decorate your table (s). If you're an author not able to attend and would like to send promotional items and books etc for the gift bags and giveaways please send them to....

Lesley Hal

2605 John West rd #3101

Dallas, TX 75228

If you need any more information about this event please contact me off the loop at lesley_hal2000@yahoo.com or Kim@kim-robinson.com 972 747-7313

I am a Woman on the Rise

2007-08-11T00:29:00.000-07:00

www.noaw.org

Help me out and vote for me in the historical entries

2007-08-06T14:57:00.000-07:00

TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS, GO TO WWW.LITERARYAWARDSHOW.COM AND CLICK ON VOTING.

Barbara Joe Williams

2007-07-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

I am in Barbara Joe Williams anthology How I met My Sweetheart

Barbara, you’ve been described as the “hardest working woman in self-publishing” and a “marketing guru.” What made you decide to become a self-published author?

Honestly, I tried the traditional publishing route, and it just wasn’t working out for me. So I decided to do some research on the publishing industry. After learning that several of my favorite authors started out by publishing themselves, I decided to give self-publishing a try. Now five books later, I’m still happy with the decision that I made because it has allowed me a tremendous amount of opportunities. I’ve been able to meet a host of published authors, aspiring writers, and travel around promoting my books by speaking at conferences and conducting workshops.

Tell us, what is your inspiration for writing?

My inspiration for writing comes from the love of the written word and romance novels. I’ve always loved to read, and I read everything, but romance has a special place in my heart. After searching the bookstores for romance novels focusing on married people and being disappointed, I decided it was time to write one of my own. So my first two books titled, Forgive Us This Day and Dancing with Temptation, are about married couples that have been together for years and the problems are beginning to surface.

Tell us about your latest release and how you came up with the idea to write about a female minister.

Well, I’ve met a lot of single female ministers, and they seem to be having the same problems as other single women regarding relationships. So I wanted to write a story showing that their trials and tribulations are the same as other women. Sometimes the pastor is looked upon as being all-knowing, very spiritual, and untouchable, but they’re human too, and that’s the side that I wanted to show. Pastor Karema Wright, the main character in Falling for Lies, is a wise woman who happens to fall in love with the wrong man for the wrong reasons. And she loses almost everything before she even realizes what’s going on because she’s falling for lies.

What are your goals with your writing career?

My primary goal is to continue writing and publishing books for myself until I can secure an agent and a writing contract. And I enjoy publishing books for other writers under my company, Amani Publishing, LLC. So my other goal would be to continue helping other aspiring authors reach their dreams while continuing to pursue mine. And since I have several books coming out within the next year, you can check out my website at: www.amanipublishing.net for more details and contact information.

Barbara Joe-Williams resides in Tallahassee, Florida, with her husband, daughter, and dog. She’s published three novels and two non-fiction books including an anthology titled How I Met My Sweetheart and a handbook titled A Writer’s Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing.

Tee C. Royal is one of the biggest promoters in the literary world

2007-07-25T00:24:00.000-07:00

I met Tee C. Royal at the RawSistaz literary event in South Carolina a couple of years ago. It was a very rewarding experience. I met so many wonderful authors who have become family to me. We are blessed to have her here.

Tee C. Royal is the founder of RAWSISTAZ Literary Group and its subsidiaries, a literary agent, wife and mother. She resides in the suburbs of Atlanta with her family.

How did RAWSISTAZ come about? RAWSISTAZ (Reading and Writing SISTAZ) came about in September 2000 when I was asked to start a book club for the online group SISTAZ. Since I enjoyed both reading and writing, I wanted to incorporate both, so RAWSISTAZ was born. With a handful of members from the original SISTAZ group, we opened the doors to others and branched off into a separate entity.

How long have you been reading? I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories as a child are hiding on top of the house and under my bed reading.

What made you want to support authors? One of my biggest annoyances is people who talk a good game, but don’t really do anything. Another is seeing a great piece of work not getting the exposure it deserves. Both were what pushed me to have the main focus of RAWSISTAZ on supporting and promoting African-American authors and their work.

Is this a rewarding or a thankless job? It’s sometimes a bit of both, but the rewarding part always overshadows everything else. No matter how many people I run across who don’t bother with a THANK YOU, I still enjoy what I do, and plan to always do it. It’s also rewarding because I can see the impact and importance of RAWSISTAZ and I’ve met some wonderful people through the various groups.

What has RAWSISTAZ diversified into? RAWSISTAZ does various things in the literary industry, but our main objective will never change. We are most known for our free Black Book Reviews (www.blackbookreviews.net), our team of reviewers, and our online book clubs and offline chapters. We have other projects in the works, but they all revolve around the literary industry. There’s also our annual literary event, The RAWSISTAZ Affair.

For an author to take full advantage of your services and your group what should they do? First and foremost, visit the main website at www.rawsistaz.com. The website alone is a major source for exposure, at no cost to the author. There are sections to list your website, book information, bio, and items of this nature. I would also suggest joining RAW4ALL, our online literary hangout with members who are readers, writers, agents, editors, and other literary professionals. The wealth of information shared in the group is at times overwhelming, but almost always helpful. I’d also recommend visiting the various resources & links listed on our site, subscribing to our newsletters, and reading our blogs. Collectively, we offer the perfect one-stop location for “keeping you in the know regarding the African-American literary community.”

What in the literary world excites you? A better question would be what doesn’t. LOL. I simply love reading or hearing about a great book. I also love when unknown authors are in the spotlight and able to share their craft with avid readers. Most recently, I’ve been fascinated with the whole publishing process. So, there isn’t much in the industry that doesn’t excite me.

Is this why you became an agent? Pretty much, yes. It was an extension of what I’ve already been doing for six years with RAWSISTAZ, just another route for doing it and on a different scale. Granted, it’s much more complex than what I’ve done with RAWSISTAZ, but I enjoy it just as much.

Tell us about a typical day for you. Now that I’m an agent too, my day is a bit different work-wise, but for the most part, I get up before everyone and immediately start working. I then take a break and wake up the family, get coffee on and try to slip in some exercise. Then I drop off my daughter at summer camp. From there, the day varies as I normally run personal family errands once a week.

But, on most days I return back to work and go through submissions, check through email, do call-backs, and work on client projects. I also may do some editing or manuscript evaluations. I also blend in the RAWSISTAZ stuff and work on admin to the site, email, reviews, following up with publishers and authors, and depending on the day, I’ll pick up mail and log in books received. I’ll also peek in at the various groups and lend a hand as needed. I do a LOT of email correspondence, so that takes up quite a bit of my time.

Pretty soon, it’s time to pick my daughter up. Then, I work with her for a while on school stuff and depending on the day I may do housework (or I go back to work) and stop in time to get dinner ready. We then eat and have family time. After that, depending on the night, I’m back at the above things, since I admit I’m a workaholic. Sometimes we play games, do yard work or hide out in our respective areas of the house. Once they’re off to bed, I normally do more work, research or read until about midnight. I normally sleep 4-5 hrs and then the process starts over again.

Thank you so much for joining us Tee C.

L.Y. Marlow shares her families history of abuse

2007-07-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

My Voice, My Words, My Journey

by L. Y. Marlow, Author of Color Me Butterfly

“I was sixteen years old the first time my left eye was blackened, my lip split. The culprit: my seventeen-year old boyfriend in a jealous rage because he thought that I was seeing another boy. Not true, but by the time he folded me in his arms and begged for forgiveness, the swelling was already rising.”

This is my story, one that is too often told. Stories that fester from women who come from all walks of life – young, old, the haves and the have-nots; domestic violence has no barriers, offers no dividing lines. It rears its ugly head in every culture, in every community.

I wish I could say that my story ended that fateful day when the swelling started to rise. I wish I could say that I had never heard of or been exposed to domestic violence before I was sixteen. I wish I could say that this phenomenon did not exist in my family before I was a stitch in my family’s fabric line, a seed in my mother’s womb. I wish I could say that sixty years of domestic violence has not prevailed my family; but those wishes are just that – wishes. I come from a legacy of women – four generations to be exact – where every kind of domestic abuse – be it physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, or sexual – has been at the hem of the fabric of my family.

In Color Me Butterfly, I tell the unnerving, real and brutal accounts of how my grandmother, my mother, myself and even my daughter, have suffered at the hands of domestic violence, literally. It seems to be a vicious cycle that won’t turn loose my family. It is a truth that has gone untold for many, many years; and it has become the match that has lit a fire beneath my torch; a torch that I have vowed to carry – a crusade in its own right – to tell my story, spread the word, and raise awareness.

About Color Me Butterfly

Spanning over sixty years, this poignant, well-written book tells the story of four generations of mothers and daughters who embrace a legacy of unconditional love, old-fashioned family values, and faith to triumph over a life plagued with unspeakable abuse and pain. Written with the flow of a novel, with frank wisdom and wit, Color Me Butterfly encourages readers to immerse themselves in this family’s life and become an advocate for change. It will incite discussion, debate and heightened awareness about intergenerational abuse and its impact on our society.

Linda R. Herman

2007-07-07T14:25:00.000-07:00

Hello, ALL! I'm Linda R. Herman, a new, up and coming author. I am proud and truly blessed to be able to share this news with all of you. My first ever published short story will debut on July 21, 2007! I'm going to give you a synopsis that will convince you to check this one out at www.lavenderisis.com!!! And here we go!

After committing the ultimate act of adultery, Tyanna Washington does not feel she is worthy of true love.

Jay Bryant has sex appeal that a young Tyanna could not deny. She fell head over heels in love with him despite his commitment to his wife and their kids. Their affair produced a beautiful daughter, Jayla. When Mrs. Bryant discovered the hidden truth she packed up and left. Tyanna took advantage of the situation. She and Jayla moved in with Jay.

But love built on lies doesn't always last long. As soon as Monica, Jay's wife, announced that she and their boys would be returning to their home, Jay gave Tyanna the boot! She and Jayla were sent packing.

With no job and no place to go, Tyanna returns home to her mother's. She is reintroduced to her brother's childhood friend, Derek. The last thing Tyanna's heart is searching for is love but it's the one thing that Derek offers.

Even though Tyanna doesn't believe she is worthy of true love with Derek, she learns that all things come in their own time...even love.

My link is www.myspace.com/linherman. If the link fails please search for me by first and last name or email, writerlin2003@yahoo.com. Thank you all so much! Be blessed!

Linda R. Herman aka Sunshine

www.lavenderisis.com July 21st! "A Time For Love"

www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org August 2007 pre-order Erogenous Zone: A Sexual Voyage

Sandra Rafaela Afro European Network

2007-07-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

Interview

AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

Reading my column on net(working) for women by coincidence, Sandra Rafaela wrote to me via Email to tell me about her initiative for an Afro-European Network for women. As it sounded very interesting to me and, I assume, to our readers too, I would like to present her Sisters-Network to you. Additionally I asked her about how large her net of wonderful women already is, what feedback she is given by the visitors on her website and if she has a story to tell about connecting Afro-European women via www.aesn.eu successfully.

Here is what Sandra Rafaela had to say!

Question:

Ms. Rafaela, when did the idea to create the internet platform Afro-European-Sisters-Network appear to you and why?

Ms. Rafaela:

It appeared to me during my vacation in November 2005. There isn't really a why but more becoming aware of the fact that there are not many black women organizations or websites in Europe and therefore not many role models. The idea just came to me and I worked it out, did some research and came to the conclusion that I could wait for someone else to start or I could do it myself.

Question:

How long did it take after the idea appeared to realize your platform?

Ms. Rafaela:

It took me about 5 months to get everything started. I already new that it would be called the Afro European Sisters Network but I had to get the domains www.aesn.nl and www.aesn.eu

The EU domain took until April 2006. Didn't know anything about web design so I had to get into that too. But I did some IT study in the past so it was just a matter of reading about it and than understand how it all worked. After the technical part I had to think about what I wanted to achieve and how I was going to do it. So during the months that I had to wait for the EU domain I thought about the lay out of the web site. The different pages that I would create and how the network will develop.

Question:

What kind of women join(ed) the AESN, where do they come from and what are their aims and contributions to the network?

Ms. Rafaela:

When I started my virtual network AESN I was concentrating on Europe. Of course first with the Netherlands but I didn't get the respond that I wanted so I decided to cross the borders. Without realizing it the network went global. I started getting emails from everywhere. Women from the United States, South America, Caribbean, Africa and of course Europe. The aims of the women are that they really want to connect to an European network and their contribution is that they spread the word and send in articles and want me to start activities.

Question:

Where do you see the AESN and yourself in five years? On what projects are you currently working on or planning for the future concerning the network?

Ms. Rafaela:

In five years, that is exactly the time that I gave myself to make this network work. In five years I want the network to work as I have it visualized. Currently I'am working on bringing structure in the large database that I have gathered in the past few months and am working some plans out.

Question:

What do you think about networks for women in general? Do women need networks and for what purpose?

Ms. Rafaela:

Well networks are great! And yes women need networks because why would you invent a wheel that already has been invented. Why not make use of the knowledge that is already there. In my network you will find house wife's, business women, authors, celebrities etc. All these different women can help other women to achieve their goals and they really want too!

Question:

Do you yourself feel well connected to other networks and if so to what kind of networks?

Ms. Rafaela:

Yes, I have joined a lot of different networks but not especially on black women but black women in a line of business. By joining all these networks I have increased my reach and information source. Most of the networks are not European

Question:

The success and the soul of a network depend on the people who join and contribute to it. Can you tell us a story about how your network has connected or supported women up to this point in time?

Ms. Rafaela:

Because of my network you see that a lot of women become aware of the fact that we black women are not that different. We might speak another language but that's about it. Further you see that black women (outside of Europe) are eager to learn more about black European women. So the bridge has been build!A good example is the mix that I made on www.myspace.com/aesn you see that all the women are connecting to each other and that is great.

Afro European Sisters Network

Sandra Rafaëla

Odastraat 13

3073 ZM Rotterdam

The Netherlands Europe

www.aesn.nl

www.aesn.eu

www.myspace.com/aesn

Welcome Literary Superwoman Deatri King Bey Who Has Stepped Out Of Her Comfort Zone With Style

2007-06-29T04:23:00.000-07:00

Trapped in the Comfort Zone

By Deatri King-Bey

Recently, we moved our family from Chicago, IL to Phoenix, AZ. No big deal. People move across country every day of the week. The part that had many of our family and friends scratching their heads was one day my husband came home and said, “How do you feel about moving to Arizona?” He loved his job in Chicago, we had a nice house, my youngest was finishing up her sophomore year in high school, all looked good and fine in the King-Bey household.

Seven weeks later we now live in Phoenix Arizona. Even my nephew, oldest daughter (along with my grandson) moved down with us. Why did we make this move and shake up the Universe (smile)? Because we had become too comfortable, thus complacent. Don’t get me wrong. We had a great life, BUT we’d been wanting to live in the Southwest since we moved away from Dallas thirteen years ago to attend college (on scholarships) in Chicago. Then we obtained great jobs in Chicago and stuck! Tooooo comfortable. We entered the comfort zone and became leery of stepping out. You know what I mean, why give up what you have for the unknown?

This was a major example of being “Trapped In the Comfort Zone,” but we all do this to ourselves every day of the week whether it be foods we eat (or won’t try), clothing we wear, places we’ll go, shows we watch, books we read, what paths we take in our career…

Even authors, such as myself, become trapped in the comfort zone. I write mainstream fiction and romance. When I was asked to write an erotic romance, I said, “No way. I can’t write that stuff.” My best friend badgered me into it. Even as I began writing the novel, I was not comfortable, but you know what? Being uncomfortable is sometimes a good thing.

I’d said no to an opportunity without giving it real consideration. Not because I had something morally against writing or reading erotic romance (I do enjoy reading erotic tales, SMILE.). I’d become trapped in the comfort zone—the easy life—and almost missed a chance to grow as an author.

That’s the danger of being trapped in the comfort zone. Have you missed out on growth opportunities because you’ve been trapped in the comfort zone? Are you stuck in a rut?

Well, I wrote the erotic romance. I’m elated I was poked and prodded out of the comfort zone. Whisper Something Sweet hit the bookshelves in June, and I’ve received more Kudos for that novel than all of my other novels combined. One of my friends said I’m hearing more from people about this novel because it is erotic, but that’s not so. Even though the readers are mentioning how much they love the sensuality within the novel, they are really complementing the plot and characterization. I don’t want to make this post about my novel. Kim wrote a fantastic review for it for BBWReviewers.com. Check out all of the reviews at Amazon.com.

I’ve said all of this to warn you to watch out for the comfort zone, don’t become trapped!

Much Joy Peace and Love

Deatri King-Bey

http://www.deewrites.com

I am so very proud to introduce Lynn Emery she writes for the big houses

2007-06-27T19:39:00.000-07:00

Interview

Kim: Give us a little background on your writing career.

Lynn: I’ve been writing all my life it seems, since I was eleven years old for sure. As a kid I started out writing a murder mystery because I wanted to show a girl solving the case for once, instead of being rescued by a guy and screaming her head off when things got scary! I never finished that book, but I kept writing. In 1993 I attended my very first writers conference. There I pitched my first book to Monica Harris of Kensington Publishing. To make a long story short I was offered a contract and went on to write seven novels in the Arabesque line of romances. I have also written six novels for HarperCollins, and one novella published by Penguin/Putnam. Harlequin released a collectors edition containing three of my early Arabesque titles in June 2006. My last single title novel Soulful Strut came out in December 2006. Currently I have retuned to my early roots of writing church essays. In March 2007 I published Be Encouraged: Words of Sunlight For The Soul, a small non-fiction collection of inspirational essays and poetry.

Kim: What would you say was one of the most exciting things to happen since you started writing?

Lynn: BET selected my second novel AFTER ALL as one of the books that was made into a movie. Holly Robinson Peete played the heroine Michelle Toussaint. Chills went through me to see this woman on screen playing a character I created! Another awesome moment was winning three Emma awards in 2004. What an honor.

Kim: What advice would you give to new writers?

Lynn: I would say that writers should do their homework when it comes to the craft of writing. Study how dialogue is written and formatted. Hone your skills at creating characters that make readers think could actually step right off the pages. Work on plotting such that the readers can’t help but turn the pages. Work on all aspects of creating great novels. Then learn all you can about the business of writing.

Kim: What is the best way to get published?

Lynn: Write the best book you can, then make it even better. Attend conferences where editors and agents will be speaking. That way you can hear what they want and have a chance to maybe even ask questions. If you can, schedule an appointment to pitch your book. Practice that short pitch before you go to the conference!

Kim: Any projects on the way?

Lynn: I’m currently working on a murder mystery. This is a new direction for me and I’m planning on doing something I haven’t done before – finish a book before I try to sell it! I sold my first book on proposal and it wasn’t finished. Since 1994 I’ve always sold that way. It will be a nice change to have a finished manuscript first.

Kim: Any last words?

Everyone is welcome to stop by my home on the web Lynn Emery If you like my monthly newsletter BookMark then subscribe to be notified when BookMark is updated. Visit what I call my “Inspiration Destination” at Be Encouraged

Thank you, Kim, for asking me to be a guest on your blog. Continued abundant blessings!

Say Hello To A Writers Best Friend Heather Froeschl

2007-06-18T03:44:00.000-07:00

Heather Froeschl [heather@quilldipper.com

I work from home. Really? Yes, really. I’m a Book Editor. Most everyday people I meet respond with, “I’ve never met anyone who does that!” Well I do. Then they want to know if I’ve worked with Stephen King. Uh, no. I wish, but no. I work with a couple of publishers but mostly I am a freelance book editor. I work directly with authors. Technically, and this is a quote from my Service Agreement, Quilldipper’s content edit service consists of: carefully screening the work for typos, misspellings, grammar usage, character and overall story development, or in the case of non-fiction, clear purpose and message conveyance. Suggestions for changes will be made directly on the manuscript, which will then be returned to the author. I am Quilldipper (www.Quilldipper.com ); it’s my business’ name and has been for ten years. In reality, I like to think that I do so much more than that though.

I’m an author too, so I feel I can say this freely, writers are dreamers. We love to weave words into images and tales that won’t be forgotten; we dream of becoming the next bestselling author. Our manuscripts are our precious babies; our hopes and sometimes our life goals. As an editor, I help to make those hopes realized. I work with authors to help them fulfill their dreams of being published. No, I’m not an agent. See above…I catch those typos, make sure you’ve used those clichés correctly if you are going to use them, I ask if you really want to slam that mother-in-law character so hard, I suggest that maybe the killer should be leaving some clues that the detectives can pick up on, and I leave red ink on your pages. I love what I do.

I suppose I’ve become pretty good at it too. I have return clients who are selling their second or third books. I get new clients who have heard from so-and-so that I am perfect for their project. I won First Place in the Preditors & Editors Book Editor contest for 2006 and placed in the top ten last year for the 2005 results. (They do the contest at the beginning of the current year, to reflect upon the past year. I know it’s a little confusing. Yes, that’s how they spell Preditors.) http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

I absolutely love being able to polish up a manuscript. Sometimes this means suggesting the removal of a subplot that has no real contribution to the story, sometimes it means adding one. I like working with authors on development too. I enjoy hearing about their research and how the planning is going. This usually only happens with local authors or someone I’ve already worked with though. I need to get know someone a little and be able to understand their vision for this type of thing. I also do book reviews and have been doing so for as long as I’ve had my business. (See www.BookReviewJournal.blogspot.com for a good sampling – over 300) I know this helps me to evaluate manuscripts all the more. I am able to tell when a book is complete or if it needs just a little something. Reviewing offers me an abundance of reading materials in all genres. My office is literally a library, though I imagine a librarian would cringe at the piles and stacks of books that surround my desk in no order whatsoever, except the to-be-read pile.

I’m still an author too. I have a book coming out with Zumaya next year. http://www.quilldipper.com/pages/spiritual.htm I have a YA novel plotted and the characters are calling to me, but they have to wait until any given current client is satisfied. My clients come before my characters!

I work from home. I’m a Book Editor.

Guest Blog by Heather Froeschl

www.Quilldipper.com

www.BookReviewJournal.blogspot.com

www.LittleHouseontheMountain.blogspot.com

www.SpiritualVisitations.blogspot.com

Join me in welcoming Vicki M. Taylor

2007-06-14T09:39:00.001-07:00

Vickie Taylor on my blog Vicki how did you began writing?

I've always written something, even from when I was a child. I like writing in journals and I still do that today. As a career, I wrote technical computer user manuals for fifteen years. But, writing fiction full time didn't start until around 1999. I love to write. I enjoy the written word. It's one of my favorite forms of communication. I've had stories in me for a long time. I just let them come out when they're ready.

When did you decide to make it as a published author?

In 1999, through a set of unforeseen circumstances, I was given the opportunity to write fiction full time. That's when I knew I would publish my work. How was another story!

2. What is your writing schedule like?

Not really concrete, but I try to write something every day. I write mostly in the afternoons, I feel more energized during that time.

Included in my writing time, I edit, critique, promote, and market. Lots to do when you're publishing books.

Are any off your books faction journaling your own life?

My first book, "Forever Until We Meet" is a compilation of a lot of different women's stories about meeting men on the computer and what can happen afterwards. Sometimes good. Sometimes not so good. A part of me is in that book.

4. What are the hardships of the writing industry for you?

Marketing and Promotion. Two big toughies for me. I know I have to do something every day, but I still can't seem to fit it into my schedule _every day_. I'm not a real "social" person, and I'm more comfortable behind my computer screen in my office writing than I am visiting bookstores, pushing my books, or standing at a table at the front of a store hoping people will come over and buy my book. I don't mind speaking to groups. I enjoy that kind of social connection. There, I'm just talking. I'm not saying "buy my book."

What are your most successful marketing campaigns?

When I was on the Fictionwise's bestseller list for "Trust in the Wind"

I blasted the news all over the Internet. Press Releases. Group announcements. Forum discussions. It worked. I got a lot of sales out of a week of pushing hard. Have a presence. Be visible. Be memorable.

Where do you see your literary career in five years?

Hopefully, I'll still be writing. I see myself as a well-known women's fiction author with a solid sell through on my way to writing the next bestselling book. I also see myself continuing to help other writers in some format or other.

Kim, it was great visiting your site today. Thanks for the questions they were thought provoking.

Vicki M. Taylor

Real Women. Real Life.

http://www.vickimtaylor.com

http://www.vickimtaylor.com/blogs/

http://www.vickimtaylor.com/forums/index.php?

http://www.myspace.com/vickimtaylor

Thank you so much for stopping in Vicki

Author of one of the best downlow books I have ever read

2007-06-12T07:59:00.001-07:00

The Seduction of Mr. Bradley

A Novel by Minnie E Miller

ISBN 13: 978-0-9722013-2-2

ISBN 10: 0-9722013-2-7

The book is set in Chicago and New York, between 2002 to 2004. Most of the businesses mentioned were ongoing when I wrote the novel. Using places I'm familiar with grounds me, and helps to "show" the reader the atmosphere surrounding my characters.

Jina Cook is a novelist who needs a public relations representative and she finds him in Bill Bradley who is handsome, well spoken and smart. The two feel an instant attraction towards each other but both try to pretend it is not happening. Finally, Jina makes the first move and Bill knows he can’t live without this woman. Unfortunately, Bill has a big secret; he is bisexual and finds himself torn between Jina and Ted, his male lover. Ted is not only his lover but his father figure and the man who rescued Bill when he felt the desperate need for love. He was there for him when he graduated from college, too, to mentor him. Bill’s father disappeared when he was quite young and he has always longed for a father and Ted fills that position. Ted also backs his budding PR business and helps him with the business. Bill’s decision is tough. Will he drop Ted, despite all the guilt he feels at doing so? Or will he drop Jina? Deep inside he knows he wants a regular life with a wife and children but guilt makes him think twice.

Short Bio

Minnie E. Miller is a native of Hyde Park, Chicago, though she has lived in many cities over the past thirty years. She has been an activist as well as a writer since the age of eighteen. You may wonder why she moved from the paranormal to commercial/romance fiction. All of Miller's stories touch on political issues in metaphor; even her vampire characters in Catharsis are activists. Her latest novel, The Seduction of Mr. Bradley, is a contemporary, political statement on humankind.

Her books are available through minnie247@sbcglobal.net; on her website at www.millerscribs.com; on justbookz.com/; on amazon.com; and barnesandnoble.com.

Minnie E Miller
Author of The Seduction of Mr. Bradley and Catharsis.
Visit me at www.millerscribs.com
and www.myspace.com/minnie_e

My novel can be purchased through PayPal at
www.millerscribs.com. Also on
www.justbookz.com
www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com

If you would like to be taken off my e-mail list,
please contact me at minnie247@sbcglobal.net

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
~ ~ Maya Angelou

2007-06-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

Acting Stupid

From my many human watching experiences and research, I have become sort of the master analysis in my own mind.

I have found that in a lot of cases - not all - women "act stupid” in order to "keep a man."

The first time I observed this was the case of my father and his ex-girlfriend.

She played this "I'm going to play like I'm incapable of doing anything for myself," but whenever we were away from my father she would get on me real hard about using my head before a man found other uses for it.

She was not a stupid woman for long and eventually decided to smarten up especially when my father took just too much pleasure in her "so called stupidity" and decided to dip somewhere else.

She didn't like that and quickly showed her brains.

He didn't like that at all.

The next cases were several. As I went to school, there were older women around and most times when I met them I found them to be highly educated women, but as soon as their husbands came around, I swear you'd think they were Marilyn Monroe's with less than half of the brains that she pretended to have.

But their husbands would worship the ground they walked on and give them anything they desired.

One woman told me after I questioned her that it was nothing wrong with making her husband feel like he’s a superhero and that he loves to save someone everyday. She felt why not let it be here. Every once in a while they (the women would reveal that they had some sense, but they never revealed the entire truth about themselves.

My third occasion I saw was my cousin and her bumbling husband. Now when you first look at him you would think that he looked like a well-educated man and she was a very educated female. But actually he was about the goofiest thing since Goofy and I do believe he fell from the same tree as the animated character.

My cousin was this bright woman but she was one of the best actresses I've ever seen. If there was anything heavier than a pencil my cousin always pretended she couldn’t do it. I would have awarded her an Oscar when she use to come over and my father ordered her to put up the groceries and she almost passed out trying to put the milk on the top- shelf of the refrigerator.

So when they married I was a stander by wondering how was a smart faker like her going to keep a bumbling dork like him. But they are celebrating their fifteenth anniversary and they haven't changed one bit; yet as I watched them I see that her "stupidity" actually benefits him and then in turn he benefits her. She makes him feel like he's important to her and she has always loved getting out of not doing any work.

She’s that type of person, but I know I’m not. I know that if I cant be myself at all times then I can't be around a person for long.

I want to find a man that stimulates me mentally and actually doesn't need a mother because my permit only is good for three children and I’m not trying to expand on that.

So does a woman have to pretend to be stupid in order to keep a man? And should I be upset at these women who have carried out this facade and allowed men to think that we're stupid creatures. OR maybe these men have actually found out that these women are carrying on this facade and decided to just let them do this just because it does make them feel good.

I don't want to cave in but this looks like on of the keys to getting a man. But I guess I’m too stubborn or maybe I'm not desperate enough to want a man in my life by hiding my intelligence.

I don't dislike the women who do this especially the ones that give me that I know I'm acting stupid wink when their man is not looking.

But I also know I’m high intelligent. My best friend since high school tells some I’m too intelligent for my own good and its hard to pretend I don’t know how to do things or I don't know how to get what I want on my own without a big strong man around.

Gawd, I’m gagging.

I think there should be other ways to make a man feel like a king instead of looking helpless all the durn time or looking like I don’t have one bit of sense.

I don't want to. I want to be myself and I don't want to hid my IQ in order to have a good man on my arm.

Just another rant on how to love a black woman.

http://sylviahubbard.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sylviahubbard

Michael T. Owens, My book is now my movie

2007-06-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Forget the Hype: Some Harsh Realities of Self-publishing

Michael T. Owens

We’ve heard the success stories of self-publishers who sell thousands of books and later land traditional publishing contracts. I’m fortunate enough to be both traditionally and self-published. Even though self-publishing requires more work, I enjoy the freedom. However, I suggest before anyone jumps feet first into the world of self-publishing, be aware of these not so nice realities:

1. Major media outlets won’t review your book. Avoid wasting your time, money, and energy blindly sending marketing materials to major publications like the New York Times. If you’re not a celebrity, a well known figure, or well-connected, don’t expect your book to be reviewed—period. One of the few exceptions would be having an amazing personal story behind your book (i.e. You escaped dying in a tropical jungle by drinking rain water and eating tree bark). If you don't fit any of these categories, and most of us don't, focus on smaller media outlets starting with your local area first. They’re more open to reviewing independently published books.

2. Your book will be judged by the cover—and the inside. Many self-publishers try to design their own covers, typeset their own books, etc. to save money.

However, when it comes to your book’s design, don’t cut corners! If your budget is small, wait until you have the capital to hire professionals. First impressions are extremely important.

3. Most of your sales won’t come from bookstores. Stop worrying about getting your books into bookstores. If they decide to carry your book, great! Focus more on attending events, conventions, festivals, and conferences. Don’t wait for readers to find your book, find them first!

4. When selling face-to-face, people are buying you, not your book! Some people purchase your book just because you seem “nice” or “funny” not because your book sounds like the next great American novel. Being appropriately dressed, cheerful, engaging, and confident, goes a long way.

5. Strangers will purchase books quicker than friends.

Your family and friends will often ask for freebies.

Resist! Make them pay! You are running a business and they shouldn’t mind supporting your efforts.

6. You won’t have a crowd at every book signing. Poor store promotion and bad weather, among other things can affect turnouts. Think of a signing as a live infomercial for your work. Regardless of the turnout, if everyone has a great time they will tell others.

They will buy your book and tell more people and so on. There is no such thing as a bad event! Learn something from them all.

7. You won’t get filthy rich! If you’re

self-publishing strictly to get rich, you might have better luck going to Las Vegas or Atlantic City!

8. Your review copies will be sold! Some book clubs, reviewers, publishers, and editors, will sell the review copies you give them! It sounds immoral and underhanded, but it happens all the time. Look at it this way: as long as your book is being seen or read by someone, it’s a good thing.

9. Success won’t happen overnight. Overnight success stories are rare in the publishing business. However if you stay persistent, informed, and connected, the sky is the limit!

10. Giving away your book is standard practice. In addition to giving away review copies, giving books to opinion shapers is sometimes better than a costly advertising campaign. Imagine the exposure your book would gain if a well-liked athlete or entertainer endorsed it.

Research the self-publishing industry before you get started. With careful planning and a positive attitude, producing your own book can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

Michael T. Owens is an author and a filmmaker living in Florida. Visit him at http://www.getmynovel.com or

http://www.myspace.com/movie411

P. G. Forte

2007-06-04T23:33:00.000-07:00

P. G. Forte is in the house, blogging on my site. This is one talented lady, I smell success

Stop by and find out what she does to people she has a grudge against.

Q. Tell us a little about your latest release

A. Waiting for the Big One (which despite the title is really a very small book—somewhat shocking for me, since I’m better known for writing somewhat lengthy tomes) is my new release from Liquid Silver Books (http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com). This is the first book in the 'LA Love Lessons' series and it tells the story of Gabby Brown, dog walker and aspiring actress. Gabby’s a Pisces—you’ll find that out right away—and she’s also somewhat Astrologically obsessed, so she relates everything to the stars.

But, the story is set in LA, after all, where stars of all types are just part of the mise en scene.

Gabby's quest to find true love and ultimate pleasure with the soul mate of her dreams is complicated when she has to choose between two gorgeous men—rock guitarist Zach Harris and Derek Novello, the martial arts instructor with whom she's co-writing a screenplay.

Even though Derek and Gabby have been friends for some time, up until now, she’s refused to even consider him for the role of soul mate because she fears sex will ruin their friendship. Not surprisingly, Derek has his own about the subject, and they don’t include sharing Gabby with anybody.

Q. Where did the idea for WAITING FOR THE BIG ONE come from?

A. Actually, I wrote it on a dare. Several of my critique partners were already writing erotic romance and they nudged and prodded until I came up with something. But the initial idea was something that had been rattling around in my mind ever since I first moved to California—a lotta years ago!

Q. How was your experience writing it different from some of your other books?

A. Well, This is a novella, so it’s very short. It’s also written in first person point of view. On top of that, it’s very light and somewhat farcical and it’s erotic romance. So all of those things were new and different. I have to say it was one of the quickest books I ever wrote and probably the most fun. I wrote it right after I finished writing Dream Under the Hill (book eight in the Oberon series) which is the longest and darkest book I’ve written to date. So, I really needed a break—this was perfect in that respect.

Q. Do you base your characters on real people?

A. You mean because Gabby’s a Pisces and so am I and Derek’s a Scorpio and so is my husband? Nope. Not at all. Lol!

Actually, I almost never model any of my characters on real people—either alive or dead. The only exception to that rule is that I have been known to ‘murder’ people I’ve had a grudge against. But not really the same thing at all, since the resemblance is strictly in my own head and no one knows who these people really are.

Q. How do you come up with your titles?

A. I love using lines from poems or song lyrics for my titles. Most of my titles to date have come from one of those sources. Other than my newest Love, From A to Z (LA Love Lessons, book two, also from Liquid Silver Books). Waiting for the Big One is no exception. Besides being the title of a Peter Gabriel song, it’s also a line from one of my own poems. It’s an interesting title. It seems people either love it or hate it.

Q. Do you have any other books in the works?

A. Yes. I’m actually in the process of finishing Let me Count the Ways which will be the third book in the 'LA Love Lesson's series. After that...well, I have a lot of projects planned. But you can check out my website for more about that: http://www.pgforte.co m

Thank you so much for coming P.G.

I need all my friends to tour with me

2007-06-03T22:21:00.000-07:00

I am going to be hosted by some really wonderful authors, reviewers, publishers, please stop by these tours. Every day I will post where I am and hope you will go to the site and check out the host and read my blog, I tried to do a little something different on each one.

'People all over the world, join hands, on the blog train, blog train. The next stop we make will be

June 4 - Vicki M. Taylor
June 5 - The Writer's Life
June 6 - Karen Magill
June 7 - Mary Pritchard
June 8 - Boomer Chick
June 11 - Sylvia Hubbard's How to Love a Black Woman
June 12 - Plug Your Book!
June 13 - Women on Writing
June 14 - Be My Guest!
June 15 - Wanza Leftwich's The Gospel Writer
June 18 - The Book Pedler
June 19 - Be Encouraged
June 20 - Gwynne's Sanctum
June 21 - Marilyn Meredith
June 25 - What I Know So Far
June 26 - The Wolf Never Sleeps
June 27 - Storycrafters
June 28 - Pump Up Your Book Promotion

###

THE ROUX IN THE GUMBO VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR ' 07 is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours!

If you are an author and you would like us to set up a virtual book tour, click here for more information!

Tags: Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours, online book promotion, author publicity, virtual book tour, book promotion, The Roux in the Gumbo, Kim Robinson, civil war

Labels: Kim Robinson, Virtual Book Tours

schedule for blogs so far

2007-05-21T10:28:00.001-07:00

The Roux in the Gumbo Tour Schedule:

June 4 - Vicki M. Taylor
June 5 - The Writer's Life
June 8 - Boomer Chick
June 13 - Women on Writing
June 18 - The Book Pedler
June 20 - Gwynne's Sanctum
June 26 - The Wolf Never Sleeps
June 27 - Storycrafters
June 28 - Pump Up Your Book Promotion

come on people invite me to blog with you and I will invite you to blog with me

Blogging

2007-05-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I still don't know exactly what I am doing, but I do see a method to the madness. I have decided that once I get up and running there will be guest every monday and Thursday. So please make this one of your stops on those days. We all have something to learn from one another. I am going to activate the calendar, anyone who wants to be a guest should
get in touch with Dorothy at

PUMP UP YOUR BOOK PROMOTION VIRTUAL BOOK TOURS
http://www.thewriterslife.net/virtualbooktours.html
PUMP UP YOUR ONLINE BOOK PROMOTION BLOG
http://www.pumpupyouronlinebookpromotion.blogspot.com
THE SEARCH FOR THE MILLION $$$ GHOST (Mardi Gras Publishing)
www.thesearchforthemilliondollarghost.blogspot.com

We are going to help one another and blow this thing up. I am doing a search and inviting all the book clubs that I can find to join our Blog, I say our blog because we all have dreams and if there is anything that this blog can do to help anyone get closer to theirs it is at your disposable.

I would appreciate if anyone knows of any bookclubs or groups that we could contact to help us, please post them as a response to contacts I can do to help

Since I am going on a blog tour for The Roux in the Gumbo novel I would like to share the beginning of the book with you

2007-05-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

Watching the shell that remains of my maternal Grandmother, devoid of her vibrant life, her encouraging smiles and constant conversation was the final factor in my decision to vote with the rest of the family to let her expire. We could not allow her to continue to endure so much pain.

Throughout her entire life this woman took good care of any and everyone who came into her world. It just does not seem fair. Then again, how often was fair a factor for black people?

Anyone who had ever been in the company of her spirit would know that she would not want to exist this way- her body twisted from multiple strokes, her limbs failing, and the cancer eating away at her spine. This was more than any soul should have to bear. To starve her to death seemed so cruel, yet it was the only legal way to let her pass on. The fate of someone who had fed half of Los Angeles was to starve to death.

Helen, whom everyone called ‘Mother,’ would feed anyone who was hungry. She always said, “Anything I give, God will make sure I get back tenfold.” You had to know her to understand her way of thinking. Maybe this book will help to clarify and glorify a woman who is certainly an angel in heaven. When she died, she left seven children, twenty-four grandchildren, and thirty-eight great-grandchildren.

Mother was the kind of woman that no matter what you did she is “gonna” still love you unconditionally. Don’t get it twisted now, she would be the first to tell you when you did wrong, but still be there for you.

Anyone could knock on Mother’s door or come into her café, and say they were hungry and she would feed them. If you needed clothes, she would take you to her second-hand store and clothe you. Many people took advantage of this, but she knew exactly what was going on. More often than not, when these people got on their feet, they always came back to repay her. Some said they could never do enough for her. Her good deeds were often the catalyst in helping them get their lives together.

Mother always said, “Folks is folks. There are good white folks and good black folks. There are bad white folks and bad black folks. She also said, “Every person’s life is like a pot of gumbo, you get out what you put in.”

Gumbo is a very popular Louisiana dish, a kind of soup. There must be a million variations on how to make it. Every person who makes it thinks theirs is better than the next. I have seen people arguing over what is the best way to make this dish. Just like life, everyone has some input on what would make the next person’s life better. Some people want more sausage, more shrimp or no shrimp. Some want crab or oysters. Some prefer more spice, more file’ (feelay). One thing they all have in common is a Roux (Roo). Roux is the gravy base and the foundation of this dish. It gives the soup its flavor and is what makes you get that second bowl. Everyone has a Roux in his or her life. Someone who influenced every step they took, and in some way gave their life direction. Mother was my Roux.

To see photos of the people in this book go to my website. www.Kim-Robinson.com, then Click on the book cover of the my books page.

In order to see into this incredible woman, you have to know what came before and what came after. That is where we are going in this book. Let’s go, it is going to be an adventure.

Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler

NOTE: There is a family tree in the back of this book.

3 lbs. snow crab, cleaned and washed

15 chicken wings, cleaned and washed

1 lb. chicken gizzards, chopped fine

4 lbs. diced smoked sausage (Hillshire Farms). Fry lightly to remove some fat

3 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined

4 packs dried shrimp

2 lbs. baby shrimp

4 stalks of cleaned and diced celery

3 diced onions

3 packs of onion soup mix

2 cans of okra; preferably “Trappeys” brand. Drain off liquid and fry in ¼ cup of oil. This removes the slime.

gumbo file’ (ground sassafras leaves)

seasoning salt

black pepper

celery salt

prepared rice

Roux:

1 cup of vegetable oil

1 cup of flour

If you prefer a thicker soup, add more flour. Heat the oil over medium heat. Sprinkle flour over grease while constantly stirring, so as not to scorch, based on your preference. I prefer a nut brown or caramel color. Some people like a darker roux. You can always taste as you go along. Set aside.

Gumbo:

Use a large stockpot. Fill half way with water and set on high to boil. You can divide ingredients into 2 or 3 smaller pots. I prefer this method, because it takes a while to get the water to boil. It will also decrease the chance of your Gumbo sticking to the bottom. There is nothing worse than a burnt pot of Gumbo. “Chile just thinking about it makes me want to cry, Gumbo is something that every time it’s made it just gets better as you add or take away ingredients to tailor to your taste, much like a fine suit of clothes. Other variations have bell pepper, tomato puree, oysters, crawfish, rabbit, turkey or chicken, parsley, green onion and garlic. I could fill this book up with various ways to prepare this dish. Do not be afraid to experiment. Add gizzards, onion, celery, onion soup mix, dried shrimp and sausage.

When it reaches a rapid boil, reduce flame to low and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Add Roux and stir. Add chicken, crab legs, okra, black pepper, seasoning and celery salt. Be very careful with celery salt, it can overpower the other flavors. Add 1 teaspoon to entire pot. You can always go back and add more. Boil for 35 to 40 minutes. Add shrimp and boil 5 minutes more. Remove from heat add 1 teaspoon of gumbo file to each pot.

Serve in a bowl over rice.

Sprinkle file’ to taste. Do not be afraid to get your fingers dirty. Also, do not forget to suck the gravy out of the crab legs before you open them up.

You have to let the gumbo cool down all the way before you can refrigerate.

It can be frozen for up to three months. I prefer in Tupperware containers or Ziploc freezer bags.

Enjoy and drop me a line and let me know how you like it. kim@kim-robinson.com

Life is what you make it

To be a woman around times of slavery
You are subject to acts that are unsavory
In order to keep your head up through the depravity
You command from your soul a certain kind of bravery

The only true freedom that you have, no one can enslave
With your brain you fight back
Even if outwardly, you behave

For the people who keep you back and bound in chains
You pray to god that one day they will know this pain
They can put chains on your arms, your legs,

and even your behind,
But the thing that can’t be restrained is your mind.

Keep the curtains drawn on the windows of your soul,

Your eyes …
Don’t let them see the strength that is inside, your pride
Say your prayers every day; hold on to your faith
Just in case, the after life is the place
The place where you get your taste
Of the good life our oppressors don’t appreciate

But with some hustle and creativity
You might not have to wait
And the days and nights in this life don’t have to go to waste.

Life is not how you take it,
Don’t spend all your time looking for answers
Your life is what you make it.

GIZELLE

Gizelle welcomed the feel of the cool sheets against her skin. She crawled exhausted into her bed, naked as always during the humid summer. As Gizelle slept, her subconscious took her back to a night twenty years ago in 1850. She was twelve years old and alone in the middle of the night. Scared, tired, hungry, and sick, she sat crying and shivering under a huge magnolia tree in driving rain, deep in the bayou near Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Gizelle decided to sit and wait. Surely, one of the water moccasins or some deadly spider would put her out of her misery. No matter what, she was not going back to the plantation.

Before Gizelle was old enough to be weaned, she had been wrenched from her mother’s breast and sold to the Sunrise Plantation. They should have called it the Graveyard because so many slaves were buried there. They worked clearing the bayous so the boats could navigate through the waters to bring in materials to build plantation homes and slave quarters. They also brought in seed and supplies to cultivate the fields of cotton, rice, and sugar cane; anything that was agriculturally profitable.

The overseers did not allow slaves who labored in the fetid water to get out as they watched others pulled under by the alligators. If the poisonous snakes and spiders did not kill them, the elements would. They worked regardless of rain or snow. Those who fell ill were left on the bank to die. The owners could always buy more slaves.

During the epidemics, cholera and yellow fever laid claim to many. Hundreds expired from colds, croup or the many diseases that thrived in the swampy water. The soles of their feet split open from the fungus brought on by standing in dirty water for too long. They bound their feet with bandages but without proper treatment, the cuts developed gangrene. The limbs were amputated. Cripples sat in pirogues to transfer the debris from the water to the bank. A slave was lucky to make it through a year working at Sunrise.

Gizelle’s dark skin dictated that by the age of four she was sent to the fields to pick cotton. When she was nine years old, the overseer gave her a gift. He raped her. He had been doing so for three years now. He had very strange and unnatural desires, and she could not take it anymore. She would prefer death to the tortured existence she was living.

Each time lightning brightened the sky, Gizelle prayed for God to end her life. Finally, the storm passed. She gathered Spanish moss from the trees and made a pallet. She closed her eyes, hoping they would never again open.

“Cher, Cher, Wake up chile! What are you doing here? Get up Cher you are soaking wet. Come with me. Open your eyes,” the voice said.

Gizelle heard the words but did not want to open her eyes. She did not want to be alive. Maybe God was a woman, or maybe he was busy and had sent an angel for her. She peeked out with one eye. Nope it was not God; God did not have long white hair that hung down to his waist. She opened the other eye and looked into eyes that looked like a cat, colored a greenish-gray. Her face was soft with what seemed to be concern. No one had ever looked at Gizelle with such kindness.

“Can you stand, Cher? Are you hurt?” The woman touched Gizelle’s forehead and found it burning with fever. “You poor chile, you come with Tallulah; I will make you better,” she said.

Gizelle rose shakily to her feet and leaned against the strange woman. Tallulah was the tallest woman she had ever seen. When Gizelle got dizzy and could not walk, Tallulah carried her.

Tallulah took her to a cabin built three feet above the ground alongside a creek, allowing the water to flow under rather than through the house when the water was high. It was a cozy habitat.

Three large rooms were more than adequate for Tallulah. One, a large inviting kitchen kept warm by the stove where she prepared her food. Another was the bedroom, which boasted a four-poster bed with night tables and an armoire that covered an entire wall. The custom furniture would have done any mansion proud. The last room had a massive desk on one wall. The other three walls were bookshelves, overflowing with books and mementos of her life. The collection of Indian and French artifacts spoke volumes about Tallulah’s heritage.

Gizelle dreamt that someone removed her wet clothes and placed her in a large metal basin filled with lavender scented water that had been warmed in a teakettle that sat on the top of a big pot-bellied stove. Her hair was gently washed and braided. She was spooned hot soup; the tastiest she had ever eaten, nothing like the slop at Sunrise. The woman held a cup for her so she could sip delicious honey-sweetened herb tea. It soothed and warmed her from the inside out.

When she was out of the tub, Gizelle’s body was rubbed down with oils that made her skin feel smooth and soft like a baby. The towel was soft, like freshly ginned and cleaned cotton. She wondered if she was dreaming, or maybe this was heaven. Wherever she was, this was where she wanted to be.

Gizelle awoke in the comfort of a soft feather mattress. This must be how the people in the big house slept, she thought. She was afraid that if she moved, her surroundings would disappear and she would find herself back on the floor of her cabin. Tallulah warmed the sheets by filling a bottle with hot water and rolling it between them. The quilt smelled as if it were filled with fragrant flowers. She drifted back to sleep.

Tallulah-1850

As Tallulah bathed the child, she noticed scars, welts, and burns. Tortured slaves were a familiar sight for her. She spent her days making rounds to plantations in the area. Some plantation owners believed in caring for the blacks that worked for them, not that they considered them human, but just as horses or dogs could get sick, so could slaves. They did not mind the small retainer. It was much less than the cost to care for a sick slave or replace a dead one.

Tallulah worked wonders on slaves and animals. It seemed she always knew which herb would revive her patient. Many physicians who refused to work on blacks came to her for advice on perplexing cases. Some white people found her much more effective than the college-educated doctors; before long, they joined her list of exclusive clients.

The fullness of Gizelle’s breasts, and the life-giving milk that leaked from her swollen nipples, along with the slight roundness of her stomach alerted Tallulah. She would wait for Gizelle to get better to ask if she wanted to keep the baby. If not, she would prepare a brew from the black cohosh plant. If taken early in pregnancy, it causes the necessary bleeding to bring down the period and abort the fetus. She had prepared this for many women with great success. Tallulah lay down next to Gizelle and went to sleep.

Tallulah was French and Indian; the result of an affair her mother, Jennifer, had with a tall Muskogean (Black and Indian) warrior named Sachwaw. She was nearly five feet, eleven inches tall. She had bronze skin and a slim figure that even at her age of fifty, was statuesque.

Tallulah came into the world amidst great tragedy. Jennifer’s husband, Jacques Boneaux, a French Diplomat with blonde hair and blue eyes, could not deal with the horror of his wife’s betrayal.

Jacques-1800

Jacques rushed home after receiving word from one of his slaves that Jennifer had borne the child. Upon entering the foyer of his massive plantation home, he saw the doctor coming down the stairs. “Congratulations Jacques,” he said as they shook hands. Jacques offered him a flask of bourbon.

“Let’s celebrate, Doc.”

Doc took the flask, closed and returned it without taking a sip. “Your wife and daughter are resting, both healthy and fine.” He put on his coat and hat.

Jacques could not help feeling something was amiss. Doc’s eyes never met his. He seemed nervous and in a hurry to leave, much as a man with something to hide.

Jacques had never known him to refuse a drink. Yet, he had begged off, saying that he had to get home to his wife as he hurried out the door. Jacques had spent many a night in brothels with Doc and he had never seen him in a rush to get home. Actually, it was just the opposite, and who could blame him? Jacques had met the good doctor’s wife and she was far from attractive. Pictures in their home professed to the great beauty she once was. When she got pregnant with their only son, she had put on quite a bit of weight and after the birth, she continued to blow up like a balloon, which distorted the once pristine features of her face. No, he thought, Doc just said they were fine. Then he remembered he had a baby. He took the stairs two at a time.

Jacques stood at the bedside watching Jennifer in her slumber. He could not help but smile at the blissful serenity of her sleeping, angelic face. They had been married exactly one year ago during this very month, December of 1800. Their fathers had been childhood friends in France and had come to America to make their fortunes in slaves and cotton. From the day Jennifer was born, their parents spoke of their marriage.

Growing up, Jacques and Jennifer rarely saw each other, as he was away at boarding schools. When they were together on

holidays and gatherings, he was so enchanted with her that he did not quite know how to act. She was a lady, born and bred.

Jacques remembered deflowering Jennifer on their wedding night. For a moment, he felt guilty and even considered not consummating their marriage. When he entered the room and saw her slim figure, so blonde and beautiful, her creamy skin accentuated by the glow of the candlelight, he had to have all five feet six of her. Jacques felt just as eager as he had when he was twelve and his father had arranged his first encounter with a slave girl named Riva.

Jacques had fantasized about being with Jennifer for so long that he lost all self-control. He showed no consideration for her feelings. His father’s instructions about the delicate task of handling a virginal bride left him. He laid her down on the bed and thrust himself into her. As he entered her warm moist flower, before he could pull out of her, he spent himself. My God! he thought. This had never happened before. He was grateful she was a virgin and knew nothing of the way sex should be. Even a whore on Bourbon Street would have laughed herself silly over his performance. He was ashamed and hated himself for being such an inconsiderate buffoon.

Jennifer

Jacques mistook Jennifer’s tears as an indication of pain. He held her close, all the while telling her, “It will be easier and much better next time, Cherie. I rushed so as not to hurt you,” he lied.

My God, Jennifer thought, as she lay there crying, just as she and her mother had rehearsed. Had she blinked she would have missed the entire act. She could not believe what had just happened or, to put it more bluntly, what had not happened. Had Jacques only known her tears were not of pain but disappointment; what he thought was the blood of a virgin was actually her monthly period. It had been so easy tricking him since he had not bothered with foreplay, or any preparations for her benefit. He had simply pushed her down, entered, and it was over.

Jennifer had not been a virgin since the age of twelve when her body had begun to change. Her father, Marcelle could no longer be satisfied with fondling her, something he had been doing since she was the tender age of five.

Jennifer was under the impression that all fathers played with their daughters in this manner. Until one day, she found the courage to broach the subject with her mother, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth - 1815

Elizabeth questioned her fourteen-year old daughter, Jennifer, at great length. “Never speak of this to anyone but me.” She listened to every detail, before explaining to her precious child, “What your father is doing is a heinous, terrible sin. I want to make it abundantly clear to you that it is definitely no fault of yours, and you must do what you can to prevent it from happening again.”

Elizabeth gave Jennifer several excuses to use when her father approached her in the future. She warned her, “Do not let your father know that you have spoken to me. I promise you that in the near future, I will make everything all right.”

Elizabeth held Jennifer for a long time as she confessed how dirty she felt. Marcelle had told her, “The only way it is a sin is if you tell anyone. If you do, God will never be able to forgive you, and you will burn in hell.”

Elizabeth took her distraught daughter to bed and tucked her in. She sat with her until she fell asleep. Blinded by tears of rage, she felt her way along the wall. When she finally made it to her bedroom, she crumpled in a heap on the floor next to her chamber pot and threw up. Marcelle would pay. Elizabeth swore on everything she held dear that she would see him punished.

For Marcelle and Elizabeth, marriage had been a necessity when they found themselves expecting a child. It was bound to happen one day and they were happy about it. She was seventeen and Marcelle Le Croix was twenty. He went directly to both their parents and told them the predicament, knowing what the outcome would be. This was what everyone had always predicted for them.

Marcelle and Elizabeth had summered and played in the surf together on a stretch of private beach in the South of France. It was only natural for them to fall in love. They had been playing doctor since Marcelle was five, but when he was thirteen years old, they became intrigued with sex after hiding in the closet and watching his parents through the French doors of the closet. There was plenty of opportunity for them to experiment because their parents were often abroad, leaving them to be raised by servants.

When the time came for Marcelle and Elizabeth to go to boarding school, they chose schools close to each other. They spent all their spare time together. He paid a townsman handsomely to let them use his small flat for privacy.

After the marriage, things seemed to get even better. Marcelle was patient and loving during sex. He had traveled with his father to Japan when he was fourteen. By the time he returned, he knew everything about making a woman achieve orgasm after orgasm before he would finally take his own release. He enjoyed the preliminaries more than actual intercourse. He would massage and lick every inch of her body, awakening every nerve in her being. Elizabeth, in turn, took instruction quite well.

Elizabeth thought she knew Marcelle. She loved watching him in the evenings while he sat telling Jennifer stories until they both fell asleep. He spent countless hours teaching her to ride the horse he had given her on her eighth birthday. Package upon package arrived at their door whenever he was away on business. Her love and desire for him had never once waned until this day-not until this hour. How could he have violated their wedding vows by doing something so egregious and Machiavellian to Jennifer? She felt a hatred for him that she never imagined possible. She had to calm down, think of what to do. She prayed to the Lord for strength.

Elizabeth began to complain to Marcelle. “You never take me anywhere.” She bade her time. Two weeks later Marcelle invited her to accompany him to New Orleans.

While Marcelle was occupied conducting his business and purchasing new slaves, Elizabeth sought out a voodooiene. One of the housemaids had told her to go to Congo Square and ask for Marie. She had no trouble finding her. She explained her predicament.

“What would you like to see done to him?” Marie asked. Elizabeth did not hesitate. “I want him to suffer and then I want him to die!”

“You come back tomorrow, I will have something ready that will help you, Madamoiselle,” said Marie.

When Elizabeth returned Marie gave her a pouch. “Add one teaspoon from this pouch to his food at each meal. Stir it in well. It will not take long and you can be sure he will suffer,” said Marie.

Elizabeth asked, “What is it?” The voodooiene put her fingers to

her lips, rose and left the room, indicating that their business was finished. She did not tell Elizabeth that the pouch contained finely ground glass and a touch of dried and powdered White Oleander.

Elizabeth could not bring herself to do the deed for two weeks. Each time she started to prepare Marcelle’s meal some tender memory would pop into her head and stop her. She put it off, telling herself that she would wait until tomorrow. Despite everything, Elizabeth still loved him, but she loved her daughter more.

“Maman, I cannot stop the alarming feelings. My mind tries to fight it but my body cannot. I try to avoid father’s attentions but he does not hear me when I say no,” Jennifer said. Elizabeth knew that she must rescue her tormented, confused child.

The first few days, every time Elizabeth added the fine powder to Marcelle’s food, she cried. Soon her tears were not borne of remorse, but anger. Each time Jennifer came to her in tears telling of another time that she was unable to keep her fathers roaming hands and mouth off her body before he violated her, it got a little bit easier.

Elizabeth cried when she looked upon her daughter’s sad face and noticed the sparkle was gone from her eyes. Jennifer was withdrawn and sullen. She never laughed anymore. Now that she knew what her father did to her was wrong, she swore she could not be around her friends. In her mind’s eye everyone could see her sin. She would not go to school or church. For a while, Elizabeth let her stay home.

After a month of Jennifer’s depression, Elizabeth called her to the kitchen to witness as she prepared Marcelle’s dinner and explained what she was doing. As miraculous as it may have seemed in the days that followed, the weaker Marcelle grew, the stronger and happier Jennifer grew.

Elizabeth never turned Marcelle down when he came to her bed and she hated herself for not being able to control her body from the multiple orgasms any more than Jennifer could. She wondered why she still succumbed to his attentions even though she hated him so. Afterwards, when he fell asleep, she would leave the room and cry.

Marcelle complained about his stomach. He threw up after each meal. After a month he was throwing up blood, the pain got so severe that he could no longer put off seeing a doctor. The doctor could not figure out the problem. He had blood in his stool and urine. He could not keep solid food down. His diet consisted of cush-cush (cornmeal mixed with water and fried, then placed in a bowl with milk and sweetened with honey) or mashed potatoes or plain rice. So much for the spicy cuisine he preferred.

Elizabeth was the perfect, loving, concerned, stoic wife. She showed just the right amount of distress as the neighbors and friends filed in daily to visit poor Marcelle, bringing remedies they swore would help.

Everyone loved Marcelle. He had been a successful businessman and was known to be quite generous with anyone in financial distress. Marcelle, with his best friend and business partner, Francois Moreau, had done well since they had invested in the business fifteen years ago. They married in a double ceremony and honeymooned abroad on their move to the United States. They had made their fortunes within months, not that they needed it mind you; they were both of wealthy families, but it was an adventure, and a profitable one.

Marcelle’s parents came and brought doctors from Europe, but to no avail. Family, friends and acquaintances traveled from across the water to see Marcelle before his inevitable funeral.

Lizette

Elizabeth, being the understanding wife that she was, sent invitations to women who she knew Marcelle had slept with over the years. She invited his mulatto mistress, Lizette, and the two bastard children she had by Marcelle. Elizabeth had known about them for years. There were no secrets among the blacks and she was so kind to her servants that she was privy to any gossip about the master’s affairs. She always gave them coins for their confidences.

When Lizette arrived, she was visibly nervous because she did not know what to expect from Marcelle’s wife. Elizabeth was glad to meet her after all this time. She had often wondered what she looked like. “You can take the children upstairs to see their father and afterwards I will mind the little darlings while you have some time alone with Marcelle. The doctor said he doesn’t have much longer so please, take your time saying your good-byes,” Elizabeth said.

Lizette’s apprehension dissipated as she looked into this woman’s eyes. There was no deceit and the touch of her hands was as comforting as her mother’s had been.

When the children came out, Elizabeth came from her seat in the hallway with Jennifer. Her heart bled for the tearful children; she sat and consoled them. She introduced Jennifer to them. Lizette’s daughter, Jeanine, was twelve years old and the boy Marcus, was eight. Marcus was a bronze duplicate of Marcelle when he was a young boy. Jennifer and Jeanine took an immediate liking to each other. They went upstairs to Jennifer’s room with Marcus in tow.

After a few hours, Lizette came downstairs. Elizabeth saw the tears in her eyes. She went to her and put her arms around her and let her cry on her shoulder. “Come, Lizette, please join me for a bit of libation, I am sure you can use it as much as I,” Elizabeth said. She poured them both a generous glass of sherry.

Two bottles later, Elizabeth and Lizette knew everything of each other’s lives and the history of their relationships with Marcelle. They laughed raucously as they compared notes about his sexual prowess. Neither harbored any animosity for the other. They understood their roles in his life and felt lucky to have had someone as good as Marcelle. Elizabeth forgot for a minute that she was the reason he was dying.

Jennifer came downstairs. It appeared she was pulling Jeanine along against her will. The poor child was begging her. “Please don’t tell, I don’t want to go to hell,” Jeanine said.

“It will be all right, trust me,” Jennifer reassured her. She whispered in Elizabeth’s ear, “Maman, Jeanine also.” Elizabeth understood immediately. This young child had also been a victim of Marcelle’s perversities.

Elizabeth looked at the poor girl who stood before her. Tears streamed down her face. She had the same eyes as Jennifer and at this moment they brimmed with tears of fear. Elizabeth could not ignore the child’s pain. She pulled her to her bosom and held her tightly. “Do not cry; everything will be fine. I promise you will not go to hell for telling and you have done nothing wrong. It is his sin, not yours,” Elizabeth whispered.

Lizette was puzzled. “I demand to know what is going on,” she slurred.

“Jennifer, take Jeanine and Marcus upstairs and provide them with something to sleep in.” She turned to Lizette. “Be patient. Please accept my invitation to stay here tonight. It is much too late for you to travel back to the city and we have much to talk about.” Lizette agreed without protest; she liked this woman and instinctively knew that she meant them no harm.

Jennifer pulled Jeanine toward her and put her arm around her. “Come little sister, I will take care of you,” Jennifer said.

Lizette expected to hear Elizabeth reprimand the child for calling a Negro her sister. When she dared to look at her from beneath her long lashes, she was relieved to see Elizabeth was smiling. “We must swear to let them spend time together. Jennifer is lucky to have a sister and a brother. I always longed for siblings when I was a child. Unfortunately, for some reason God never blessed my mother with another child.”

“Come let us retire to the great room where the cushions are more comfortable and the brandy is stronger,” Elizabeth said, and proceeded to explain the nature of Marcelle’s misdeeds.

Lizette’s nostrils flared in rage and tears fell from her beautiful eyes. “I had my suspicions … a feeling that I stupidly refused to acknowledge. I have been saving money for years and was going to send Jeanine and Marcus away to good schools where they could acquire an education that would take them far away from any life shadowed with servitude or compromise. I even keep them out of the sun, hoping that they will both stay light enough to be able to pass as white, if necessary. I never dreamed that it was already too late to protect my baby.”

Lizette lowered her head and cried. She was lying to herself -she had known. She had been jealous of the attention that Marcelle paid to Jeanine. He had taken her out for long carriage rides and shopping trips. He never invited her or Marcus to accompany them. The gifts he gave Jeanine were not appropriate. A father did not give expensive jewelry and frilly undergarments to a child so young. She kept quiet for fear that if nothing was going on, she did not want to put the idea in his head. If it was happening, what could she do about it? She wished she could kill him.

Lizette had explained to Elizabeth earlier in the evening that she herself was only eleven years old when Marcelle solicited her aunt, the proprietor of one of the more prominent brothels in town. He saw her one morning coming from her small bedroom on the third floor. Clients did not go up there.

Lizette’s aunt had been her guardian since her mother had died of cholera. She had only planned to wait one more year before auctioning off Lizette’s virginity to the highest bidder. After that, she would preview her at one of the balls. It was a Louisiana custom called pleassage. Prosperous men entered into sponsorship of young girls of mixed race. There was a ball held every year. The guardians of the girls chaperoned them.

When a man chose a girl, the guardian would negotiate a contract for finances and trust. Should something happen to the man, or if he tired of the arrangement, the girl and any children that resulted from the relationship would not be left with nothing.

This arrangement included education for the children. A generous protector would grant them their freedom, some at birth, but usually they held out until the eighteenth birthday to ensure the fidelity of his mistress. Many men did not honor these commitments. A good lawyer in any other era could have made them honor their signatures, but in times of slavery they were dependent upon the good graces of the man. Many watched as their children were sold.

Lizette’s aunt knew a good deal when she saw one. It could do nothing but help her business to have Marcelle La Croix as her niece’s protector. The association would afford her many benefits. If she ever needed a favor, he would not turn her down; not to mention the monies she would receive before he took possession of Lizette. She negotiated a handsome arrangement for Lizette, and an even more handsome one for herself.

Lizette knew that her life was destined for the same direction as her mother’s. She dreamt of running away, but had nowhere to go. Lizette often heard the girls talk about Marcelle. He was a favorite. He only saw young girls … the younger the better. Every brothel in town knew that if they acquired a virgin to contact him immediately. He was always the highest bidder at the virgin auctions.

Lizette could have done worse for herself. Marcelle was generous with money; she had a fine home with servants and he was kind and considerate. He made her feel things she never thought possible. He also gained pleasure from watching her response. He taught her how to please him from the moment he awoke until he left her at night to sleep in his own rooms or return home.

Marcelle’s seed gave Lizette the children she adored more than life. She had even fallen in love with him. She settled into her position and focused her energies on making a better future for her children. She wanted Jeanine to grow up, find a free man, and marry for love. She never wanted her daughter to know what it was like to be at the mercy of someone else’s whims. Just the knowledge that you could find yourself standing on an auction block at anytime was a terrible feeling.

What Marcelle had done to their daughters was worse than any slave auction or ball. Any child forced to become sexually active before her time was wrong, but with her own father, despicable. He should burn in hell and if she had not been concerned about their futures, she would have told him so.

Elizabeth swore to Lizette, “If Marcelle has not put his affairs in order and given you and your children freedom before he dies, I myself will see that it is done.”

The two women sat on the couch and finished a decanter of brandy. They fell asleep holding each other, just as sisters would.

When Lizette left the next day, it was with emancipation papers for herself and her children, along with a large bank draft that would keep them in luxury throughout their natural lives. All signed by Marcelle’s own hand.

That afternoon, the doctor told Elizabeth that Marcelle would not make it through the night. She sat quietly by his bed; he slept fitfully. He woke coughing blood. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked into his eyes. “I have loved you ever since I can remember Marcelle. You have been such a wonderful husband,” she said.

He squeezed her hand in gratitude and looked up at her with eyes that said he loved her and was sorry for leaving her like this. He could no longer speak; the tissue in his esophagus had torn from the constant vomiting.

Elizabeth stood. “I am glad that you are dying. You are a vile, insufferable beast and the world will be much better off without your kind. The doctors never had a clue that I was poisoning you. When I served you supper, I was serving you your death,” Elizabeth bragged.

Marcelle’s eyes widened and through the pain he asked, “Why?” Blood rose and dripped over his lips. He attempted to sit up, but the sudden movement left him strangling on the blood that was rapidly rising in his throat. She could see the question in his eyes. “Any man who sleeps with his own daughters should be made to suffer for eternity. Death is more than you deserve,” Elizabeth said.

Marcelle never imagined that Elizabeth knew. He closed his eyes in shame and they never opened again.

Jacques

As Jacques looked down at his beautiful wife and mother of his child, he could not help but realize how much he loved her. He picked up the small bundle wrapped in his exhausted wife’s arms and gingerly pulled back the hand-crocheted blanket. His heart stopped.

The child that he assumed was his clearly was not. Thick black hair and olive skin told the true fraternal story. He grabbed Jennifer by the hair and pulled her out of bed. “You will tell me who the father of this bastard child is!” Jacques screamed.

Before Jennifer was fully awake, Jacques was dragging her out to the barn. He strung her up, and beat her as if she were a slave. She had no choice but to confess the details of her secret assignations with the Indian. She realized he could very well kill her at this moment. She had nothing to lose. “Had you been more considerate as a husband and lover, I would not have found it necessary to look elsewhere for satisfaction. You are an idiot Jacques. You were no comparison to my father who had been bedding me since I was twelve. I missed the feelings that you never once took the time to give me. I found them with someone else while you were on your many whoring trips with your mistresses. I wonder if they are as disappointed with your skills as I have been this past year. The moment you cut me down from here, I am taking my beautiful daughter and going to my lover,” Jennifer said. She spat in his face.

The overseer had reported to Jacques that Jennifer had been spending a lot of time with the local Indians. He had assumed it was something she had been doing for amusement. He had not given it a second thought; he should have.

Jennifer told Jacques, “I never loved you the way I love Sachwaw.” These words were more than he could bear. He had no control over the rage that consumed him, or the arm that held the whip. When he finally regained his composure it was too late. Jennifer was dead. Jacques cracked his whip at the slaves who ran forward to cut her down. “I forbid anyone to cut her down.” He left her wide-eyed body tied to the post for all to see.

Elizabeth ran past Jacques into the barn. She was taken aback by what she saw.

She could not believe what he had done to her beautiful child. “My God, you monster! What have you done to my baby girl?” she screamed.

No matter what Jennifer had done, she did not deserve this fate. Elizabeth knew about her daughter’s frequent clandestine meetings. She did not blame her one bit for her actions. Jacques had several children by slave women, the result of the many nights that he left Jennifer’s bed to go to the slave quarters. He had never given Jennifer any attention. He did not know the first thing about being a husband. He spent months at a time away from home under the guise of business. When he returned to town, he stayed with his mistresses for days before coming home to his lonely wife.

Elizabeth and Jennifer had known about Jacques and his two mistresses before they were married. One a Mulatto, the other a Quadroon, he had fathered seven children between them. They had every comfort that the white wives had and more, a fair trade for not being able to have his name. They lived in fine town homes located in the center of town. Their clothes were of the finest quality; they never missed an opera or play and often traveled with him, while Jennifer stayed at the plantation house in the country, cut off from the world.

Elizabeth cried for her daughter’s soul.

The next morning Jacques was waiting in the area where the overseer had seen Jennifer with the Indian. It was not long before he heard a whistle and saw a dark, muscular figure. He raised his gun and shot the form as it got out of a small pirogue. The tall Indian fell at the water’s edge.

Jacques approached with caution and when he looked upon the fallen man, he was delighted to see that he was still alive. He had only clipped him in the shoulder. He did not want the savage to die without knowing why. He cursed the man and even though he knew he probably could not understand a word of the French he was speaking, he knew that the man knew who he was. “You filthy savage, you will not live to defile and rape another white woman,” Jacques said.

Jacques shot him again in the stomach. He wanted him to suffer a slow, painful death. He walked back to where he had been hiding and picked up the bundle he had left there. He opened the blanket the child was swaddled in and placed her next to the Indian. “The both of you will be eaten by alligators; it is what you deserve,” Jacques said.

It was not until Jacques returned and saw the slaves standing and looking into the open barn that the finality of his actions made him sit down on the ground and cry with remorse. He spoke aloud, “How could Jennifer betray me? I worshipped her in every way. She was my fine porcelain doll, her beautiful features, and hair as soft and shiny as corn silk.

She was to be worshipped, not touched. I gave her everything I possibly could. Did she not have the finest wardrobe? The best house? The best slaves? Why had she done this?”

When Jacques had bedded her, she had lain like a perfect, southern-bred lady. She never moaned or showed any enjoyment; not like his mistresses or the slave wenches. This was as it should have been for a southern woman. It was common knowledge that women of breeding did not enjoy sex. It was something they did only to reproduce.

The things Jennifer had said when questioned, Jacques could not believe his ears. He thought that he was sparing her the unpleasantness of sex. To listen to her describe the passion that she felt for this Indian was unendurable. The savage was not even human. No more than an animal, yet she had enjoyed being with him and described sexual acts that he had never experienced. Could she have been telling the truth about her father?

There was obviously something wrong with Jennifer and he had fixed it. There was no way to change it now. He was not worried about legal action. No one would blame him, least of all the law in Louisiana. He felt justified in what he had done.

Sachwaw

Sachwaw had passed out and woke to a searing heat in his stomach. But there was something else, something that needed urgent attention. There was a baby lying next to him crying.

Sachwaw rolled over onto his side, and saw Jennifer’s beautiful eyes looking at him from the face with olive skin. The situation became clear; this was his child, his and Jennifer’s.

Sachwaw felt a surge of strength. He would not die this way. He had a child to look after and a woman to rescue. He struggled to his feet and took the blanket from beneath the child. He tore it in two and tied one strip tightly around the wound in his stomach. The first shot had gone straight through his shoulder and the bleeding had stopped. He picked up the child and with much effort tied her to his back with the remaining strip of cloth.

It took Sachwaw a few minutes to manage to climb back into his pirogue. He tried to lift the paddle but the effort was too much for him. He thanked God that the current of the water was in his favor. When finally he got close to his village, he rolled out of the small craft and crawled to the edge of the village.

A squaw passing by the water heard the baby crying. She placed her gourd on the ground and went to investigate. When she saw Sachwaw, she screamed out. Many villagers ran to help. Sachwaw’s mother, Weena, immediately started giving orders.

The medicine man instructed four men to carry Sachwaw carefully to his tent. Weena took the child. She looked upon her granddaughter’s face. Many times, Weena had seen Sachwaw with the blonde woman. She had begged him to stop seeing Jennifer and spent many nights praying about it. She knew this relationship was destined for disaster. For three nights Sachwaw was delirious with fever. He called out for Jennifer the entire time. He dreamt of the day he met Jennifer. He had been fishing when he saw her stumble to the ground after tripping over a fallen tree limb. He ran to her aide. As he turned to walk back, her hand on his arm stopped him. She found him intriguing. They sat and fished that afternoon. Sachwaw taught her how to bait her hook and she was eager to throw her line into the water. When she caught a fish she was as excited as a child.

After catching five fish, Sachwaw made a small fire. He taught Jennifer how to scale and gut the fish in preparation for cooking. She watched with interest as he skewered the fish on sticks and stuffed them with herbs that he had searched out. As the fish cooked he taught her words from his tribal language and she in turn taught him English. He enjoyed basking in her beauty. He ate two fish himself and watched with much amusement as she devoured the other three. As she returned to the plantation she thought only of meeting him the next day.

Jennifer had been lonely for male attention and Sachwaw was every inch a man. She had never felt this comfortable with Jacques. Sachwaw aroused those feelings that her father had first stirred in her, and more. She did not feel she was doing anything wrong and when she found she was with child she just assumed that the child growing inside of her was Jacques.

Jennifer knew the truth when she suckled the beautiful child to her breast for the first time. She did not expect Jacques to return for a few days and by then she and her daughter, whom she had named Tallulah, would be gone. She would take her mother, find Sachwaw and they would go away somewhere and disappear. She had discussed her plans with her mother. Elizabeth’s only comment was, “Do what makes you happy my child; if you love him go to him and I will be there for you. We have more than enough money to sustain us for ten lifetimes.” She fell asleep making plans for her escape, but it was not to be.

One week later when Sachwaw recovered enough to walk, he was on his way to find Jennifer. Every day the medicine man had to stop him from getting up. He had seen her spirit several times, but thought he was hallucinating; regardless, he knew that she needed him. He arrived at the plantation in the early morning and waited.

Sachwaw saw Jacques driven away in a carriage. He waited for hours, never seeing one sign of Jennifer. He made his way to the barn and entered through the back door. He would wait here for a chance to get into the house. He smelled something that made his stomach turn. He entered the dark barn and stood still while his eyes adjusted. He looked for a way to get up to the loft so that he could study the second floor and find the best way to enter the house undetected. He saw someone leaning against a post. As his eyes grew accustomed to the dark, he realized he was looking at Jennifer’s beautiful hair. Open welts covered her bare back and her hands were tied around the post. He called to her. Why did she not move or answer? Why were all these flies in here?

Sachwaw looked into her lifeless eyes. Maggots crawled over her blood-crusted back. He wanted to scream out. He could not stop the bile that rose into his throat. He ran to a corner and threw up. This had been her fate because she had loved him. Had he any notion that the child was his, he would have never let her remain.

What kind of evil spirit could possess a man to do something as terrible as this to someone so kind and beautiful? Sachwaw knew the answer: the white man’s greed and desire to own and control everything.

Sachwaw cut Jennifer down and waited for the cover of night to bury her remains. He now knew that he had not been hallucinating; it was her spirit that he had seen. He found a blanket and shovel, wrapped and carried her to the place where they had met. He returned to the barn and cried in silence as he waited for Jacques to return. The shock of losing Jennifer coupled with his weakened state; it was no wonder he soon fell asleep.

Sachwaw woke to the sound of the carriage returning. Jacques lurched into the house and back out again. He had not had one sober day since his wife died. He went to the slave cabins and after a few minutes returned with a very young girl. He waited for about an hour and went into the house through the back door, silently making his way through the kitchen and up the stairs. He found the bedroom where he had seen the candlelight from outside.

Sachwaw entered the room. Jacques was asleep, lying face down on the bed. The girl was sitting up in the bed, tears flowing from her eyes. She could not have been more than twelve years old. There was a piece of bloody cloth between her legs. Her eyes widened when she saw Sachwaw move from the shadows. He put his fingers to his lips, warning her to be silent.

In one fluid motion Sachwaw sat on Jacques’ back and grabbed a handful of his hair, pulled his head back and cut his throat. Then he left as quietly as he had come.

The young slave girl, Effie, got up. She smiled to herself as she made her way back to the slave quarters. She was happy about what had happened to the master. She had always liked Mistress Jennifer; what he had done to her was cruel.

Effie knew what Jacques had done with her was a sin. Jacques had grabbed her arm and pulled her from her bed and she was on her way to the big house before she knew what was happening.

Effie’s mother, Riva, rose from her bed in a panic. She knew better than to try to stop the master. She jumped from her bed, begging him not to take her little girl. “But Master she’s your own daughter. Don’t do this. I’ll go with you instead. She still be too young,” Riva said.

“Go back to bed, Riva. She’s the same age you were the first time I bedded you; what difference does it make if she’s my daughter? You were my father’s offspring, which makes you my sister. That just means any children she has will fetch a higher price. I made a tidy sum off the other four that you birthed for me. You say one more word and I will sell you.”

When Jacques got Effie to the bedroom, he made her drink a snifter of the strong horrid tasting brown liquid, then pulled her dress up, lay on top of her and took her. After three painful minutes it was over. He was snoring before she could roll him off. It took her forever to get out from under him. She had wished him dead and gotten her wish. Ha! Ha!

Effie had always thought that one day her father would free her. That dream had been shattered right along with her hymen. She picked up a bag that he had placed on the nightstand when he had come in. She twirled the bag that contained two hundred dollars in gold coins around her finger, and despite the pain between her legs, she smiled and hummed her way back to the cabin to tell her mother what had happened. They ran the next morning.

Thanking those who responded to my blog

2007-05-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

That is a great idea
Ronda I am going to contact all the local colleges

Thanking those who responded to my blog

2007-05-09T03:55:00.000-07:00

Still not all that sure about what I am doing so I am going to go and study other people's blogs
I think it would be really cool before this is over to have a list with links to my friends blogs
now I got to figure out how to do it

Next I need to find out how to get my books in the colleges
It seems that Idrissa and Troy from AALBC think it would be a perfect recommended read
putting me up their with Shakespeare, Maya Angelou, scholastic books
when that happens I know I have arrived God is good all the time

a new glowing review from Idriss Uqdah

2007-05-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

The Roux in the Gumbo
Click to order via Amazon (Neshee Publication (March 2006)

by Kim Robinson

Paperback: 357 pages
Publisher: J’Adore Publishing, 2007
ISBN-10: 0974701777

Reviewed by: Idrissa Uqdah

A Black Family’s Odyssey in America

Author Kim Robinson has written a remarkable account of her family’s history gathered from stories she was told as she was growing up. The life stories of her great grandmother, Annie Thomas and her grandmother, Helen Simpson are the roux in this gumbo; a very rich and entertaining read. The author acknowledges that a lot of people in her family helped her to write this book by giving her their memories. More African American families should share memories such as these. Rich in culture and historical events it’s a perfect course assignment for Black History classes.

The story opens in the early 1800s, near Lake Charles, Louisiana where a young slave girl has escaped from the Sunrise Plantation. She is laying under a magnolia tree in the driving rain; scared, tired, hungry and sick. Asking the Lord for mercy, she is determined not to return to the horrors of living on the plantation. As the story unfolds and the young girl remembers how life changed for her on that dark night, you are reminded of the many slave narratives written long ago. Ending in 1997; this book is a journey in Black history told in bits and pieces, sewn together like a patchwork quilt. I really enjoyed it.

Her visions of later day New Orleans are rich in the bayou land as Kim’s family lives as farmers, toiling the land and as entrepreneurs running every type of business from midwives and medicine women, root workers and hoo-doo men and livery services and prohibition time night spots complete with good food, gambling and home-made liquor. Kim’s ancestors were some very colorful personalities. But, they worked hard and were basically good people who stuck together and helped out a neighbor. Their dealings with the Klan and racist encounters in other parts of the South were also portrayed. They stood up for themselves and soon relocated to California for a better way of life.

I laughed and cried with this family as good money went bad and troubles touched the lives of the large and sometimes dysfunctional tribe. But; they always found a way to make ends meet and to support one another through their trials.

Great Grandmother Annie and Grandmother Helen were two very strong Black women who although did not have a formal education, used mother wit to overcome their lack of schooling.

Annie did not hesitate to pull out her trusty blade to defend herself or her family from violence and good deeds gone bad. Trouble did not last always for this family and on the whole, they lived and loved well. Always respected in the community of Compton, California; they carved a life out of their situations that left a legacy for the future generations.

The Roux in the Gumbo is a book that you will enjoy. It is both entertaining and interesting. It is also a saga of African American life told from the viewpoint of four generations in American. I found it good reading, and especially appreciated Kim’s grandmother’s recipe for Gumbo in the front of the book. The recipe makes a great pot of Gumbo. You can find it at her website: www.kim-robinson.com